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SMITHSONIAN    INSTITUTION 

UNITED   STATES    NATIONAL   MUSEUM 

Bulletin   75 


NORTH    PACIFIC   OPHIURANS    IN  THE   COLLEC- 

%*** 

TION   OF   THE   UNITED   STATES 
NATIONAL  MUSEUM 


BY 


HUBERT  LYMANjCLARK 

Museum  of  Comparative  Zoology '^Cambridge,  Mass, 


•^T«»*  **»«2s^ 


PER\ 


WASHINGTON 
GOVERNMENT    PRINTING   OFFICE 

1911 


SMITHSONIAN    INSTITUTION 

UNITED   STATES    NATIONAL   MUSEUM 

Bulletin   75 


NORTH    PACIFIC   OPHIURANS    IN   THE   COLLEC- 
TION  OF   THE    UNITED   STATES 
NATIONAL  MUSEUM 


BY 


HUBERT  LYMAN  jCLARK 

Museum  of  Comparative  Zoology,  Cambridge,  Mass. 


WASHINGTON 
GOVERNMENT   PRINTING   OFFICE 

1911 


BULLETIN  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES  NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 
ISSUED  FEBRUARY  .23,  1911. 


fW-EO, 


ADVERTISEMENT. 

The  scientific  publications  of  the  United  States  National  Museum 
consist  of  two  series,  the  Proceedings  and  the  Bulletins. 

The  Proceedings,  the  first  volume  of  which  was  issued  in  1878,  are 
intended  primarily  as  a  medium  for  the  publication  of  original,  and 
usually  brief,  papers  based  on  the  collections  of  the  National  Museum, 
presenting  newly-acquired  facts  in  zoology,  geology,  and  anthro- 
pology, including  descriptions  of  new  forms  of  animals,  and  revisions 
of  limited  groups.  One  or  two  volumes  are  issued  annually  and  dis- 
tributed to  libraries  and  scientific  organizations.  A  limited  number 
of  copies  of  each  paper,  in  pamphlet  form,  is  distributed  to  specialists 
and  others  interested  in  the  different  subjects  as  soon  as  printed. 
The  date  of  publication  is  printed  on  each  paper,  and  these  dates  are 
also  recorded  in  the  table  of  contents  of  the  volumes. 

The  Bulletins,  the  first  of  which  was  issued  in  1875,  consist  of  a 
series  of  separate  publications  comprising  chiefly  monographs  of  large 
zoological  groups  and  other  general  systematic  treatises  (occasionally 
in  several  volumes),  faunal  works,  reports  of  expeditions,  and  cata- 
logues of  type-specimens,  special  collections,  etc.  The  majority  of 
the  volumes  are  octavos,  but  a  quarto  size  has  been  adopted  in  a  few 
instances  in  which  large  plates  were  regarded  as  indispensable. 

Since  1902  a  series  of  octavo  volumes  containing  papers  relating  to 
the  botanical  collections  of  the  Museum,  and  known  as  the  Contribu- 
tions from  the  National  Herbarium,  has  been  published  as  bulletins. 

The  present  work  forms  No.  75  of  the  Bulletin  series. 

RICHARD  RATHBUN, 
Assistant  Secretary,  Smithsonian  Institution, 

In  charge  of  the  United  States  National  Museum. 

WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  January  3,  1911. 

in 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


Page. 

List  of  illustrations xi 

Introduction 1 

The  distribution  of  the  North  Pacific  Ophiuroidea 7 

Geographical  distribution 7 

Bath y metrical  and  temperature  distribution 13 

Associational  distribution 17 

Conclusions  as  to  distribution  of  Ophiurans  in  North  Pacific  Ocean 22 

Descriptions  of  species 23 

Family  Ophiodermatidae 23 

Pectinura  anchista 23 

Ophiarachnella  gorgonia 25 

megalaspis 25 

Ophioconis  diastata 27 

papillata 28 

Family  Ophiolepididse 30 

Ophioplocus  imbricatus 30 

japonicus 30 

Ophiozona  elevata 31 

longispina 33 

platydisca 34 

polyplax 35 

projecta 36 

Genus  Ophiura 36 

Ophiura  kinbergi 37 

sarsii „ 37 

liitkeni 45 

micracantha 47 

maculata 49 

leptoctenia 51 

quadrispina 55 

Ibathybia , 58 

flagellata 60 

imbecillis 62 

irrorata 62 

clasta 64 

monostoBcha 65 

calyptolepis 67 

cryptolepis 69 

nodosa 70 

eculpta 73 

stuwitzii 73 

cediplax 74 

v 


VI  TABLE   OF   CONTENTS. 

Descriptions  of  species — Continued. 
Family  Ophiolepididae — Continued. 

Genus  Ophiura — Continued.  Page. 

Ophiura  sterea 75 

sculptilis 77 

ponderosa 77 

megapoma 79 

hadra 80 

stiphra 82 

penichra 84 

atacta 85 

brachyactis 87 

pomphophora 89 

glyptodisca 91 

Genus  Anthophiura 92 

Anthophiura  axiologa 93 

Ophiotrochus  longispmus 94 

Ophiernus  adspersus 95 

Ophiocten  pacificum 96 

charischema 97 

brevispinum 98 

ooplax 99 

Genus  Ophiopenia 102 

Ophiopenia  disacantha 102 

tetracantha 104 

Ophiomusium  cancellatum 106 

laqueatum 106 

liitkeni 107 

lunare 107 

lymani 107 

simplex 109 

trychnum 109 

jolliensis : Ill 

multispinum 113 

Family  Amphiuridae 114 

Ophiambix  aculeatus 114 

Genus  Ophiopholis 115 

Ophiopholis  mirabilis , 117 

brachyactis 117 

longispina 119 

bakeri 121 

aculeata  var.  japonica 123 

aculeata _. 128 

aculeata  var.  kennerlyi 132 

Ophiochiton  fastigatus 133 

Ophiactis  pteropoma 134 

brachygenys 135 

dyscrita 137 

brachyaspis 138 

gymnochora 139 

Amphiura  bellis 140 

diomedeae 140 

sunde  valli 141 

carchara 142 


TABLE   OF  CONTENTS.  VII 

Descriptions  of  species — Continued. 
Family  Amphiuridse — Continued. 

Genus  Amphiura — Continued.  I'age. 

Amphiura  leptodoma 143 

euopla 144 

acrystata 145 

ecnomiotata 148 

trachydisca 149 

micraspis. .^ .  150 

pycnostoma 151 

psilopora 153 

Amphiodia  urtica 154 

occidentalis 155 

craterodmeta 155 

maeraspis 157 

euryaspis 158 

periercta 160 

ancistrota 161 

digitula •      162 

strongyloplax : 164 

psilochora 165 

Amphipholis  pugetana 166 

Amphioplus  rhadinobrachius 167 

acanthinus 168 

hexacanthus , 170 

rnegapomus 170 

Amphilepis  platytata 171 

Amphilimna  pentacantha 172 

Ophionereis  eurybrachiplax 174 

Genus  Ophiocrasis 175 

Ophiocrasis  dictydisca 175 

Ophiodoris  pericalles 177 

Family  Ophiohelidse 179 

Ophiomitra  cardiomorpha 179 

discycla .' 181 

habrotata 182 

microphylax 184 

bythiaspis 185 

polyacantha '.  187 

codonomorpha 188 

acontophora 190 

Ophiocamax  lithosora 191 

polyploca 193 

Family  Ophiacanthidse 195 

Ophiacantha  bidentata 195 

pentagona 196 

levispina 198 

adiaphora 199 

rhachophora 201 

omoplata 202 

acanthinotata 203 

anchilabra 204 

trachybactra 206 

diploa 207 


VIII  TABLE   OF   CONTENTS. 

Descriptions  of  species — Continued. 

Family  Ophiacanthidse — Continued. 

Genus  Ophiacantha — Continued.  Page. 

Ophiacantha  inutilis 208 

diplasia 209 

enneactis 211 

prionota , 213 

granulosa 215 

normani 215 

cataleimmoida 217 

oadidisca 219 

leucorhabdota 221 

eurypoma 223 

lepidota 224 

euphylactea 225 

hylacantha 227 

atopostoma 228 

bairdi 230 

lambda 231 

lophobrachia 232 

bathybia 233 

leucosticta 235 

macrarthra 236 

megatreta 237 

Ophiolebes  asaphes 239 

brachygnatha 240 

pachybactra 242 

tylota 243 

diaphora 245 

paucispina 246 

brevispina 247 

Genus  Ophiophrura 249 

Ophiophrura  liodisca 249 

Genus  Ophiurases 250 

Ophiurases  obstrictus 250 

Genus  Ophiologimus -.. 252 

Ophiologimus  hexactis 252 

Genus  Ophiostyracium 253 

Ophiostyracium  trachyacanthum 253 

Genus  Ophioschiza 254 

Ophioschiza  monacantha 255 

Family  Ophiocomidse 256 

Ophiomastix  mixta 256 

Ophiocoma  brevipes 256 

erinacea 257 

Ophiopteris  papillosa 7. 257 

Family  Ophiothricidae 257 

Ophiothrix  ciliaris 257 

koreana 257 

spiculata 262 

longipeda 263 

hylodes 263 

panchyendyta 264 

eusteira .' 265 

macrobrachia. .  267 


TABLE    OF   CONTENTS. 


IX 


Descriptions  of  species — Continued.  Page. 

Family  Ophiomyxidee 269 

Ophiobyrsa  acanthinobrachia 269 

synaptacantha 270 

Ophiomyxa  australis 271 

anisacantha 271 

Genus  Ophiophrixus 272 

Ophiophrixus  acanthinus 273 

Genus  Ophiocynodus —  -  _  27^ 

Ophiocynodus  corynetes 274 

Genus  Ophiosyzygus 275 

Ophiosyzygus  disacanthus 276 

Genus  Ophiohymen 277 

Ophiohymen  gymnodiscus 277 

Genus  Ophioleptoplax 278 

Ophioleptoplax  megapora 279 

Family  Astrophytidae 280 

Asteroporpa  hadracantha 280 

Astrochele  Isevis 281 

Ophiocreas  cedipus 283 

Astroceras  pergamena 284 

Asteronyx  loveni 285 

Trichaster  palmiferus 287 

Gorgonocephalus  caryi 287 

sagaminus 292 

Astrophyton  cornutum 293 

pardalis. 293 

Euryale  anopla 294 

[ndex  .  297 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Page. 
FIG.      1.  Pectinura  anchista.     X  3.5.    a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 24 

2.  Ophiarachnella  megalaspsis.     X  4.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below; 

c,  side  view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 26 

3.  Ophioconis  diastata.     X  6.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 28 

4.  Ophioconis  papillata.     X  6.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  an  arm  joint  near  disk 29 

5.  Ophioplocus  japonicus.     X  3.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 31 

6.  Ophiozona  elevata.     X  6.     a,  from  above;  b,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 32 

7.  Ophiozona  platydisca.     X  4.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 34 

8.  Ophiozona  polyplax.     X  3.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  two  and  a  half  arm  joints  near  disk 35 

9.  Ophiura  kinbergi.     X  5.     Showing  disk  scaling  and  arm  comb 37 

10.  Ophiura  micracantha.     X  4.     a,  from  above;  b,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk '48 

11.  Ophiura  macula ta;  adult,  a-c  X  5;  young,  d-f  X  7.     a  and  d,  from 

above;  b  and  e,  from  below;  c  and/,  side  views  of  arm  joints  near 

disk : 50 

12.  Ophiura  leptoctenia.     X  5.     a  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 51 

13.  Ophiura  quadrispina.     X  5.5.     a,  from  above;  b,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 56 

14.  Ophiura  bathybia.     X  3.3.     a,  from  above;  b,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 58 

15.  Ophiura  flagellata,   young.     X   6.     a,   from  above;  b,  from  below; 

c,  side  view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 61 

16.  Ophiura  clasta.     X  3.5.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c,  side  view 

of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 64 

17.  Ophiura  monostcecha.     X  5.     a,  from  above;  b,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 66 

18.  Ophiura  calyptolepis.     X  4.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 68 

19.  Ophiura  cryptolepis.     X  2.5.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  r,  side 

view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk. 69 

20.  Ophiura  nodosa;  variety  from  Icy  Cape,  Alaska.     X  6.    a,  from  above 

6,  from  below;  c,  side  view  of  base  of  arm 72 

21.  Ophiura  oediplax.     X  10.     a,  from  above;  b,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 74 

XI 


XII  LIST   OF   ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Page. 
FIG.    22.  Ophiura  sterea.     X  2.5.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c,  side  view 

of  base  of  arm 76 

23.  Ophiura  megapoma.     X  3.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 79 

24.  Ophiura  hadra.     X  1.75.     a,  from  above;  b,  from  below;  c,  side  view 

of  base  of  arm 81 

25.  Ophiura  stiphra.     X  3.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c,  side  view  of 

base  of  arm 83 

26.  Ophiura  penichra.     X  2.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c,  side  view 

of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 84 

27.  Ophiura  atacta.     X  8.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c,  side  view  of 

two  arm  joints  near  disk 86 

28.  Ophiura  brachyactis.     X  3.    a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  base  of  arm 87 

29.  Ophiura  pomphophora,  adult.     X  3.5.     a,  from  above;  b,  from  below; 

c,  side  view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 89 

30.  Ophiura  pomphophora,  young.     X  10.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below; 

c,  side  view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 90 

31.  Ophiura  glyptodisca.     X  8.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 91 

32.  Anthophiura  axiologa.     X  10.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 93 

33.  Ophiotrochus  longispinus.     X  8.     a,  from  above;     b,  from  below; 

c,  side  view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 94 

34.  Ophiernus  adspersus.     X  3.33    a,  from  above;  b,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk : 96 

35.  Ophiocten  charischema.     X  5.     a,  from  above;  b,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 97 

36.  Ophiocten   brevispinum.     X    5.5.     a,   from   above;  b,   from   below; 

c,  side  view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 99 

37.  Ophiocten  ooplax.     X  5.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c,  side  view 

of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 100 

38.  Ophiopenia  disacantha.     a,  young,  X  7;  b-d,  adult,  X  5.     a,  from 

above;  6,  from  above;  c,  from  below;  d,  side  view  of  three  arm 
joints  near  disk 103 

39.  Ophiopenia  tetracantha.     X  8.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 105 

40.  Ophiomusium   trychnum.     X    3.     a,    from    above;  b,    from    below; 

c,  side  view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 110 

41.  Ophiomusium  jolliensis.     X    2.5.     a,    from   above;  6,   from   below; 

c,  side  view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 112 

42.  Ophiomusium  multispinum.     X  1.25.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below; 

c,  side  view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 113 

43.  Ophiopholis  mirabilis.     X  3.5.     Base  of  one  arm  and  adjoining  por- 

tion of  disk ;  from  above 117 

44.  Ophiopholis  brachyactis.     X   4.5.     a,   from  above;  6,   from  below; 

c,  side  view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 118 

45.  Ophiopholis  longispina.     X  5.     a,  from  above,  6,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 120 

46.  Ophiopholis  bakeri.     X  5.     a,  from  above;  b,  from  below;  c,  side  view 

of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 122 


LIST    OF   ILLUSTRATIONS.  XIII 

Page. 

FIG.  47.  Ophiopholis  aculeata  var  japonica.  a,  extreme  form  with  small  sup- 
plementary upper  arm  plates  and  numerous  long  disk  spines,  X  2.66; 
b,  more  usual  form  with  fewer  disk  spines,  X  3.33;  c,  unusual  form 
with  many  disk  scales  resorbed,  X  3.5;  d,  typical  form  without  disk 
spines,  X  4 127 

48.  Ophiopholis  aculeata.     X  3.     From  above 131 

49.  Ophiopholis  aculeata  var.  kennerlyi.     X  2.66.     From  above 133 

50.  Ophiactis  pteropoma.     X  10.     a,  from  above;     b,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 134 

51.  Ophiactis  brachygenys.     X  10.     a,  from  above;  b,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 136 

52.  Ophiactis  dyscrita.     X  20.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 137 

53.  Ophiactis  brachyaspis.     X  16.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 138 

54.  Ophiactis  gymnochora.     X  10.     a,  from  above;  b,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 139 

55.  Amphiura  carchara.     X  6.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 142 

56.  Amphiura  leptodoma.     X  15.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 143 

57.  Amphiura  euopla.     a-c,  X  5;  c?,  young,  X  10.     a,  from  above;  b,  from 

below;  c,  side  view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk;  d,  side  view  of  two 

arm  joints  from  a  young  specimen 144 

58.  Amphiura  aery stata.     a-/,  X  5;  g-i,  X  4;  a-c,  type,     a,  from  above; 

6,  from  below;  c,  side  view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk;  d,  another 
specimen  from  above;  e,  from  below;  /,  side  view  of  two  arm  joints 
near  disk;  </,  another  specimen,  from  above;  h,  from  below;  i,  side 
view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 146 

59.  Amphiura  ecnomiotata.     X  8.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 148 

60.  Amphiura  trachydisca.     X  4.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 149 

61.  Amphiura  micraspis.     X  12.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk;  a7,  side  view  of  an  arm  joint  near 
middle  of  arm 151 

62.  Amphiura  pycnostoma.     X  12.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 152 

63.  Amphiura  psilopora.     X  12.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 153 

64.  Amphiodia  urtica.     X  6.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c,  side  view 

of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 154 

65.  Amphiodia  craterodmeta.     X  6.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c, 

side  view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 155 

66.  Amphiodia  macraspis.     X  5.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 157 

67.  Amphiodia  euryaspis.     X  4.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 159 

68.  Amphiodia  periercta.     X  3.5.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk;  a7,  a  much  younger  specimen, 

from  above,  X  9 160 

69.  Amphiodia  ancistrota.     X  5.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk;  d,  next  to  the  lowest  arm  spine, 

X  10 161 


XIV  LIST   OF   ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Page. 

FIG.  70.  Amphiodia  digitula.  X  8.  a,  from  above;  b,  from  below;  c,  side 
view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk;  d,  outgrowths  on  upper  end  of 
genital  scales,  greatly  enlarged 163 

71.  Amphiodia    strongyloplax.     X9.     a,    from    above;  6,    from    below; 

c,  side  view  of  three  joints  near  disk 164 

72.  Amphiodia  psilochora.     X6.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 165 

73.  Amphipholis  pugetana.     X12.    a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 167 

74.  Amphioplus  rhadinobrachius.     X8.     a,  from  above;  b,  from  below; 

c,  side  view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 168 

75.  Amphioplus  acanthinus.     X4.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk;  d,  regenerated  disk  and  three 
regenerated  arms 169 

76.  Amphilepis  platytata.     X6.     a,  from  above;  b,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 171 

77.  Amphilimna   pentacantha.     X5.     a,    from    above;  b,    from    below; 

c,  side  view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 172 

78.  Ophionereis  eurybrachiplax.     a-c,  from  Japan,  X  3;  a7-/,  from  Cali- 

fornia, X  2.     a  and  d,  from  above;  b  and  e,  from  below;  c  and/,  side 
view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 174 

79.  Ophiocrasis  dictydisca.     a-c,  X7;  d-g,  Xll.     a,  from  above;  6,  froni 

below;  c,  side  view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk;  d,  a  younger  speci- 
men, from  above;  e,  the  same,  from  below;/,  side  view  of  three 
)       arm  joints  near  disk;  g,  another  young  specimen  from  above,  show- 
ing the  inequality  of  the  two  trios  of  arms 176 

80.  Ophiodoris  pericalles.     X4.     a,  from  above;  b,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 178 

81.  Ophiomitra    cardiomorpha.     X4.     a,    from    above;  6,    from    below; 

c,  side  view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 180 

82.  Ophiomitra  discycla.     X9.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 181 

83.  Ophiomitra  habrotata.     X15.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk * 183 

84.  Ophiomitra    microphylax.     X6.     a,    from    above;     b,    from    below; 

c,  side  view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 184 

85.  Ophiomitra  bythiaspis.     X5.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 186 

86.  Ophiomitra  polyacantha.     X8.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below,  c,  side 

view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 187 

87.  Ophiomitra  codonomorpha.     X4.     a,   from   above;  6,    from   below; 

c,  side  view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 189 

88.  Ophiomitra  acontophora.     X16.     a,    from   above;     6,    from    below; 

c,  side  view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 190 

89.  Ophiocamax  lithosora.     X3.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 192 

90.  Ophiocamax  polyploca.     X3.     a,  from  above;  b,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 193 

91.  Ophiacantha  adiaphora.     X7.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  ot  three  arm  joints  near  disk ." 199 

92.  Ophiacantha    rhachophora.     X8.     a,    from    above;  6,    from    below, 

c,  side  view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 201 

93.  Ophiacantha  omoplata.     X8.     a,  from  above;  b,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 202 


LIST   OF   ILLUSTRATIONS.  XV 

Pajre. 
FIG.    94.  Ophiacantha  acanthinotata.     X6.     a,   from  above;  b,   from  below; 

c,  side  view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 203 

95.  Ophiacantha  anchilabra.     X6.     a,  from  above;  b,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk .- 205 

96.  Ophiacantha   trachybactra.     X4.     a,    from   above;  6,    from    below; 

c,  side  view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 206 

97.  Ophiacantha  diplasia.     X2.25.     a,  from  above;  &,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 210 

98.  Ophiacantha   enneactis.     X10.     a,    from   above,  showing  one   arm 

nearly  complete;  b,  from  below;  c,  side  view  of  three  arm  joints  ~ 
near  disk 212 

99.  Ophiacantha  prionota.     X5.5.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 214 

100.  Ophiacantha  cataleimmoida.     X3.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below; 

c,  side  view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 218 

101.  Ophiacantha  oedidisca.     X5.     a,  from  above;  b,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 220 

102.  Ophiacantha  leucorhabdota.     X3.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below; 

c,  side  view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 222 

103.  Ophiacantha    eurypoma.     X3.5.     a,    from    above;  6,    from    below; 

c.  side  view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 223 

104.  Ophiacantha  lepidota.     X10.     «,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 224 

105.  Ophiacantha  euphylactea.     X7.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c, 

side  view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 226 

106.  Ophiacantha  hylacantha.     X4.5.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c, 

side  view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 227 

107.  Ophiacantha  atopostoma.     X5.     a,   from  above;  b,   from  below;  c, 

side  view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 229 

108.  Ophiacantha  lambda.     X5.     a,  from  above;  b,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 231 

109.  Ophiacantha  lophobrachia.     X12.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c, 

side  view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 232 

110.  Ophiacantha  bathybia.     X4.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 234 

111.  Ophiacantha  leucosticta.     X3.     a,   from  above;  6,   from   below;  c, 

three  arm  joints  near  middle  of  arm,  seen  from  below;  d,  side  view 

of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 235 

112.  Ophiacantha  macrarthra.     X25.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c, 

side  view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 237 

113.  Ophiacantha  megatreta.     X2.25.     a,  from  below;  6,  side  view  of  two 

arm  joints  near  disk;  c,  upper  view  of  three  arm  joints  near  middle 

of  arm 238 

114.  Ophiolebes  asaphes.     X6.     a,    from  above;  6,    from  below;  c,   side 

view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk. ..-. 239 

115.  Ophiolebes  brachygnatha.     X5.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c, 

side  view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 241 

116.  Ophiolebes  pachybactra.     X4.5    a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c, 

side  view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 242 

117.  Ophiolebes  ty lota.     X5.     a,  from  above;  b,  from  below;  c,  side  view 

of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 244 

118.  Ophiolebes  diaphora.     X4.5.     a,  from  above;  b,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 245 


XVI  LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Page. 
FIG.  119.  Ophiolebes  paucispina.     X7.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 246 

120.  Ophiolebes  brevispina.     a,  young   specimen,  from   above,   X8.     b, 

adult,    from   above,    X6.     c,    from    below,   X6.     d,  side    view  of 
three  arm  joints  of  adult,  near  disk,  X6 248 

121.  Ophiophrura  liodisca.     X6.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 249 

122.  Ophiurases  obstrictus.     X10.     a,  from  above;  b,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 251 

123.  Ophiologimus  hexactis.     X10.     a,  from  above;  b,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 252 

124.  Ophiostyracium    trachyacanthum .     X9.     a,    from    above;  6,    from 

below;  c,  side  view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 254 

125.  Ophioschiza  monacantha.     X9.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c, 

side  view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 255 

126.  Ophiomastix  mixta.     X3.     a,  from  above;  6,   from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 256 

127.  Ophiothrix  koreana.     X3.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 260 

128.  Ophiothrix  koreana.     a,  part  of  specimen  from  station  5055,  from 

above,  X6;  6,  part  of  specimen  from  station  4878,  from  above,  X8. . .       261 

129.  Ophiothrix  spiculata.     X4.5.     a,  from  above;  b,  from  below;  c.  side 

view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 262 

130.  Ophiothrix  hylodes.     X5.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 263 

131.  Ophiothrix  panchyendyta.     a,  from  above,  X5;  b,  from  below,  X5; 

c,  side  view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk,  X5;  d,  an  upper  arm  plate, 
X15;  e,  an  under  arm  plate,  X 15 ;/,  a  tentacle,  X15 264 

132.  Ophiothrix  eusteira.     X8.     a,  from  above;  6,   from  below;  c,  side 

view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 266 

133.  Ophiothrix  macrobrachia.     X4.5.     a,  from  above;  b,  from  below;  c, 

side  view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 267 

134.  Ophiobyrsa  acanthinobrachia.     X2.5.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below; 

c,  side  view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 269 

135.  Ophiobyrsa  synaptacantha.     X4.     a,  from  above;  b,  from  below;  c, 

side  view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 270 

136.  Ophiomyxa  anisacantha.     X2.5.     a,  from  above;  6,  from  below;  c, 

side  view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 272 

137.  Ophiophrixus  acanthinus.     X4.     a,  from  above;   6,  from   below;  c, 

side  view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 273 

138.  Ophiocynodus   corynetes.     X2.     a,   from  above;  b,   from   below;  c, 

side  view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 275 

139.  Ophiosyzygus  disacanthus.     X3.     a,  from  above;  b,  from  below;  c, 

side  view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 276 

140.  Ophiohymen  gymnodiscus.     X6.     a,  from  above;   b,  from  below;  c, 

side  view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 278 

141.  Ophioleptoplax  megapora.     X8.     a,  from  above;  &,  from  below;  c, 

side  view  of  two  arm  joints  near  disk 279 

142.  Asteroporpa  hadracantha.     X7.     a,   from  above;  b,   from  below;  c, 

side  view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 281 

143.  Astrochele  laevis.     X2.5.     a,   from  above;  b,   from   below;  c,   side 

view  of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 282 

144.  Euryale  anopla.     X1.5.     a,  from  above;  b,  from  below;  c,  side  view 

of  three  arm  joints  near  disk 295 


NORTH  PACIFIC  OPHIURANS  IN  THE  COLLECTION 
OF  THE  UNITED  STATES  NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 


By  HUBERT  LYMAN  CLARK, 

Of  the  Museum  of  Comparative  Zoology,  Cambridge.  Mass. 


INTRODUCTION. 

The  collection  of  Echinoderms  made  in  Japanese  waters  by  the  U.  S. 
Bureau  of  Fisheries  steamer  Albatross  in  1900  was  placed  in  my  hands 
soon  after  its  return  to  this  country,  and  a  preliminary  examination 
showed  that  the  Ophiuroidea  formed  the  largest  and  perhaps  the 
most  interesting  section  of  it.  Various  circumstances  interfered  with 
the  completion  of  a  report  at  that  time,  so  that  the  collection  was 
still  in  my  hands  when,  in  1907,  I  was  asked  to  undertake  the  study 
of  the  much  more  important  and  extensive  series  of  ophiurans  col- 
lected by  the  Albatross  in  1906.  After  that  work  was  well  under  way, 
Doctor  Rathbun,  of  the  National  Museum,  requested  me  to  take 
over  the  entire  series  of  North  Pacific  ophiurans  in  that  museum  and 
make  my  report  inclusive  of  all  three  collections.  It  was  agreed  to 
make  lat.  35°  N.  the  southern  limit  on  the  American  coast,  of 
the  oceanic  area  to  be  covered  by  the  report,  and  lat.  30°  N.  the 
southern  limit  on  the  Asiatic  coast.  As  a  result  of  this  arrangement 
there  has  been  confided  to  my  care  an  extraordinary  amount  of 
material,  consisting  of  over  40,000  ophiurans,  representing  about 
190  species.  The  great  bulk  of  these  were  collected  by  the  Fisheries 
steamer  Albatross  during  her  various  voyages  to  and  from  Alaska, 
Bering  Sea,  and  Japan,  but  there  is  also  much  material  from  Alaska 
collected  by  a  number  of  different  naturalists,  some  of  it  more  than 
forty  years  ago.  There  are  also  some  very  valuable  specimens  col- 
lected by  the  United  States  exploring  expedition  in  Japan  half  a 
century  ago. 

In  view  of  the  fact  that  very  little  work  has  ever  been  done  on  the 
ophiurans  of  the  North  Pacific,  it  is  not  strange  that  a  very  large  per- 
centage of  the  species  in  this  collection  proves  to  be  undescribed. 
Since  the  publication  of  Lyman's  monograph,  based  on  the  Challenger 
ophiurans,  the  number  of  known  species  has  increased  from  450  to 
over  1,100.  Aside  from  a  number  of  less  important  papers,  Lyman's 
34916°— Bull.  75—11 1 


2  BULLETIN    75,   UNITED   STATES    NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

report  on  the  Blake  ophiurans  (1883),  Brock's  work  on  East  Indian 
species  (1888),  Liitken  and  Mortensen's  report  on  the  Albatross 
Panamic  ophiurans  (1899),  and,  more  recently,  the  great  works  of 
Koehler  on  the  ophiurans  of  the  Travailleur  and  Talisman,  of  the 
Investigator  and  of  the  Siboga,  have  added  enormously  to  the  list  of 
known  species.  Unfortunately,  however,  no  one  has  attempted  to 
coordinate  this  mass  of  material  with  that  contained  in  the  Challenger 
report,  and  as  a  result  it  is  exceedingly  difficult  at  the  present  day  to 
determine  exactly  what  species  are  really  valid,  or  to  decide  whether 
a  given  specimen  belongs  to  a  known  species  or  not.  There  car\  be 
little  doubt  that  when  our  present  knowledge  is  finally  systematized, 
some,  if  not  many,  of  the  species  here  described  as  new  will  prove  to 
belong  to  known  forms,  though  an  honest  endeavor  has  been  made 
to  avoid  the  needless  production  of  new  names.  Every  one  who  has 
done  any  work  on  ophiurans  knows  how  difficult  it  is  to  grasp  a  mere 
description  without  figures,  even  though  it  be  very  full  and  accurate. 
I  am  therefore  very  grateful  that  the  authorities  of  the  National 
Museum  have  approved  of  the  extensive  illustrating  of  this  report. 
And  I  take  pleasure  in  acknowledging,  also,  with  sincerest  gratitude, 
the  patience  and  skill  with  which  Miss  Violet  Dandridge  has  made 
the  figures. 

The  classification  of  the  Ophiuroidea  as  it  stands  to-day  is  little  short 
of  absurd.  Not  for  over  thirty  years  has  any  attempt  been  made  to 
put  it  on  a  rational  basis.  Lyman  never  pretended  to  offer  any  clas- 
sification of  the  group,  though  the  material  for  a  thoroughly  scientific 
one  was  put  into  the  generic  descriptions  and  the  plates  of  the  Chal- 
lenger report.  His  knowledge  of  ophiuran  morphology  was  extraor- 
dinary and  had  not  illness  and  death  cut  short  his  career,  he  might 
have  given  us  a  natural  and  satisfactory  arrangement  of  the  class. 
Since  his  day  no  zoologist  has  devoted  himself  to  the  subject  with 
sufficient  concentration  to  warrant  the  attempt  to  set  forth  a  rational 
classification,  and  consequently  I  find  myself  obliged  to  follow,  in  this 
report,  a  classification  based  on  a  compilation  of  the  work  of  Lyman 
and  some  of  his  successors.  The  families  which  are  adopted  are  of 
very  unequal  value  and  their  limits  are  generally  hazy.  In  fact  it  is 
difficult  to  discover  any  reason  why  certain  genera  are  placed  where 
they  are  rather  than  in  another  family.  For  example  the  genus 
Ophioconis  is  placed  in  the  Ophiodermatidae,  although  it  is  practically 
indistinguishable  from  Ophiacantha.  Any  limitation  of  the  Ophia- 
canthidse  which  excludes  Ophioconis  must  exclude  also  a  number  of 
species  of  Ophiacantha  and  even  of  Ophiomitra.  The  last  genus,  by 
the  way,  can  not  be  separated  from  Ophiacantha  by  any  natural  lines, 
so  long  as  the  two  are  used  in  the  present  broad  sense,  and  yet  in  the 
current  classification  they  are  placed  in  different  families.  Lack  of 
time  as  well  as  lack  of  knowledge  compelled  me  to  abandon  any  at- 


NORTH    PACIFIC   OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK.  3 

tempt  in  this  report  to  present  an  improved  classification  of  the 
Ophiuroidea,  but  it  is  at  least  permissible  for  me  to  make  this  protest 
against  the  one  which  I  am  obliged  to  use. 

One  of  the  principal  reasons  why  the  ophiurans  are  such  a  difficult 
group  to  classify  is  found  in  our  ignorance  of  their  growth  changes. 
It  has  been  recognized  for  some  time  that  the  number  of  arm  spines 
and  oral  papillae  often  increases  with  age,  and  Lyman  called  attention 
in  the  Challenger  report  to  other  changes  which  he  had  noted,  partic- 
ularly in  OpJiiactis  and  Ophiacantha.  What  is  needed  is  a  detailed 
study  of  the  growth  changes  in  some  one  species  of  each  family,  bring- 
ing out  just  what  characters  are  evidences  of  immaturity.  Ludwig, 
in  his  Jugendf  ormen  von  Ophiuren  °'  has  made  an  excellent  beginning 
for  a  number  of  the  viviparous  species,  but  such  work  needs  to  be  car- 
ried much  further. 

The  study  of  this  collection  has  satisfied  me  that  Jackson's6  law  of 
"localized  stages"  is  a  very  real  help  in  determining  the  possible  rela- 
tionship between  small  and  large  individuals  of  the  same  genus.  For 
the  ophiuran  arm  reveals  at  and  near  the  tip  the  characters  of  youth 
and  one  can  thus  compare  the  base  of  the  arm  of  a  small  specimen 
with  the  middle  or  tip  of  the  arm  of  a  large  individual  with  most  sug- 
gestive results.  The  extent  to  which  the  youthful  characters  are 
localized  varies  with  different  species,  but  as  a  rule  they  are  suffi- 
ciently clear  to  make  comparisons  conclusive. 

Another  interesting  matter  is  variation  in  the  extent  of  calcification 
or  of  resorption  of  calcareous  matter,  which  many  species  of  ophiu- 
rans, especially  in  the  family  Amphiuridse,  reveal.  As  a  rule,  calcifi- 
cation progresses  more  or  less  steadily  from  youth  on,  so  that  old  in- 
dividuals are  much  heavier  and  more  solid,  relatively,  than  young 
ones.  This  is  especially  true  in  the  Ophiolepididae,  where  the  increase 
may  be  shown  not  only  by  the  heavier  plates  but  by  lumps  and  swell- 
ings upon  the  plates,  wanting  or  only  faintly  indicated  in  young  individ- 
uals. In  the  Amphiuridae  and  a  few  species  of  OpJiiura,  however,  it  is 
often  true  that  resorption  exceeds  the  deposit  of  lime,  and  as  a  result  the 
old  individuals  may  have  most  of  the  disk  scales  and  even  the  margins 
of  the  basal  arm  plates  extensively,  if  not  completely,  resorbed.  In 
such  species,  while  a  small  specimen  will  have  the  disk  well  covered 
with  scales,  both  above  and  below,  larger  individuals  have  the  inter- 
brachial  spaces  below  entirely  bare,  and  old  ones  may  have  no  disk 
scales  at  all  except  just  around  the  radial  shields.  Other  factors  than 
that  of  age  appear  to  enter  into  the  matter,  however,  for  individuals 
of  the  same  size  may  reveal  great  differences  in  the  amount  of  calcifi- 
cation. It  seems  quite  possible  that  external  factors,  such  as  food, 
composition  of  the  sea  water,  character  of  the  bottom,  etc.,  may  be  the 

a  Sitzungsb.  Akad.  Wiss.  Berlin,  vol.  14,  1899,  pp.  210-235. 
&R.  T.  Jackson,  Mem.  Boston  Soc.  Nat.  Hist.,  vol.  5,  1899,  p.  4. 


4  BULLETIN    75,    UNITED   STATES    NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

essential  ones  in  determining  the  relative  rates  of  calcification  and 
resorption. 

The  total  number  of  species  included  in  the  present  report  is  189,  of 
which  129  are  here  described  for  the  first  time.  The  number  of 
genera  represented  is  51,  of  which  12  seem  to  be  entirely  new,  and  one 
other  has  been  formed  for  a  previously  known  species.  At  the  same 
time,  the  large  amount  of  material  available  has  enabled  me  to  satisfy 
myself  that  a  number  of  species,  hitherto  accepted  as  valid,  are  really 
identical  with  others  either  of  earlier  date  or  from  which,  owing  to 
insufficient  material,  they  were  supposed  to  be  distinct.  In  this  way  no 
less  than  fourteen  names  are  relegated  to  the  ranks  of  synonyms.  As 
many  of  the  supposedly  new  North  Pacific  species  are  represented  by 
only  a  few  specimens,  often  by  only  a  single  one  and  that  in  poor 
condition,  I  have  hesitated  much  over  giving  them  names,  but  have 
concluded  that  as  a  matter  of  convenience  to  later  writers  it  is  better 
to  designate  them  definitely,  even  though  ultimately  some  of  the  names 
have  to  be  abandoned. 

In  a  few  cases  the  question  has  arisen  whether  subspecies  should 
be  recognized  or  not,  but  it  has  been  invariably  answered  in  the 
negative,  as  our  knowledge  of  ophiurans,  their  variation  and  their 
distribution,  is  as  yet  too  imperfect  to  permit  any  wise  use  of  sub- 
specific  names.  The  situation  is  somewhat  different  as  regards 
varietal  names,  and  I  have  made  use  of  two  such  in  connection  with 
the  widely  spread  Ophiopholis  aculeata  which  appears  in  the  northern 
Pacific  in  an  extraordinary  array  of  dissimilar  forms.  As  no  one  of 
the  forms  appears  to  be  characteristic  of  a  particular  region  it  would 
be  inaccurate  to  regard  any  of  them  as  subspecies,  but  as  two  of  them 
are  very  common  and  easily  recognized  they  are  treated  as  varieties 
of  the  typical  form. 

A  few  details  in  regard  to  the  collection  may  be  of  interest,  even  if 
not  of  great  scientific  importance,  and  I  venture  to  add  them  here. 
Although  there  are  altogether  189  species  (and  the  two  varieties  of 
Ophiopholis  aculeata  referred  to  in  the  preceding  paragraph),  yet 
more  than  three-fourths  of  the  specimens  are  furnished  by  the  fol- 
lowing five  species : 


Species. 

Speci- 
mens. 

No.  of 
different 
stations 
where 
taken. 

OphiuTO  sdTsii  . 

20,  932 

164 

Ophiopholis  aculeata  (including  the  two  varieties)  

4,192 

166 

Ophiacantha  nonnani 

4,056 

44 

Ophiura  leptoctenia  .                                                                                  

2,037 

47 

OphiuTa  nodosa 

1,067 

46 

Total  . 

32,  284 

NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK.  5 

Four  other  very  common  species  are  represented  by  more  than  300 
specimens  each: 


Species. 

Speci- 
mens. 

No.  of 
different 
stations 
where 
taken. 

Ophiura  lutkeni  

658 

24 

Asteronyx  loveni  

498 

32 

Ophiothrix  koreana  '.  * 

411 

56 

Gorgonocephalus  caryi  

304 

105 

There  are  559  different  stations  represented  in  the  collection,  but 
at  218  of  these  only  a  single  species  of  ophiuran  was  taken  and  at 
141  other  stations  only  two  species  occurred.  There  are  14  stations 
at  which  ten  or  more  species  were  collected.  The  average  number  of 
species  to  the  station  is  2.6,  but  if  there  is  left  out  of  the  account 
those  at  which  only  one  or  two  species  were  taken  the  average  num- 
ber rises  to  4.8.  The  largest  number  of  species  taken  at  any  one 
station  was  at  station  4893,  which  is  southwest  of  the  Goto  Islands 
in  the  Eastern  Sea.  Here,  at  a  depth  of  about  100  fathoms,  with  a 
bottom  temperature  of  55.9°,  the  following  seventeen  species  were 
found : 

Ophiarachnella  megalaspis.  Ophiacantha  pentagona. 

Ophiozona  elevata.  Ophiacantha  rhachophora. 

Ophiozona  projecta.  Ophiacantha  normani. 

Ophiura  sculpta.  Ophiurases  obstrictus. 

Ophiocten  charischema.  Ophiothrix  koreana. 

Ophiomusium  simplex.  Ophiothrix  macrobrachia. 

Ophiodoris  pericalles.  Ophiomyxa  anisacantha. 

Ophiomitra  habrotata.  Astroceras  pergamena. 
Ophiocamax  polyploca. 

This  is  a  much  larger  number  of  species  than  was  taken  at  any  one 
of  the  Challenger  stations,  but  it  does  not  equal  the  famous  haul 
made  by  the  Hassler  off  Barbados  in  100  fathoms,  when  twenty 
species  of  ophiurans  were  taken,  and  it  is  far  behind  the  record  estab- 
lished by  the  Blake  at  her  station  269,  off  St.  Vincent,  British  West 
Indies,  in  124  fathoms,  where  twenty- three  species  of  fifteen  genera, 
were  collected."  It  is  interesting  to  note  that  warm  water  is  not 
essential,  however,  to  a  large  and  diversified  ophiuran  fauna,  for  the 
next  largest  number  of  species  taken  at  one  spot  was  at  station  4781, 
which  is  near  Agattu  Island,  Aleutians,  in  482  fathoms  with  a  bottom 
temperature  of  38.6°.  Here  sixteen  species  were  taken,  representing 

&  This  record  was  equaled  by  the  Siboga  near  the  Ki  Islands,  at  station  251, 
where  in  114  fathoms,  twenty-three  species  were  taken,  representing  sixteen  genera. 
But  while  the  Blake  took  a  twenty-fourth  species  at  its  next  station  (270),  the  Siboga 
found  no  other  ophiurans  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  its  best  haul. 


6  BULLETIN    75,    UNITED   STATES    NATIONAL    MUSEUM. 

nine  genera;  none  of  the  species  is  identical  with  any  taken  at  station 
4893,  but  six  of  the  genera  are. 

The  collections  made  at  the  stations  in  a  given  district  indicate 
that  remarkably  diversified  ophiuran  faunas  exist  in  the  North  Pacific 
Ocean  under  widely  different  conditions.  The  most  diversified  fauna, 
as  we  might  naturally  expect,  is  that  found  in  the  subtropical  Eastern 
Sea,  off  Kagoshima  Gulf,  where,  on  August  16,  thirty  species  were 
taken  at  stations  4933-4939.  These  thirty  species  represented 
twenty-one  genera  and  every  family  except  the  Ophiocomidse,  which, 
however,  doubtless  occurs  in  the  region;  eighteen  of  the  species  and 
one  of  the  genera  were  previously  unknown.  Quite  a  different  fauna 
exists  about  the  western  end  of  the  Aleutian  chain  of  islands,  where, 
at  stations  4781-4784,  twenty-one  species  were  found.  Here,  how- 
ever, there  are  only  ten  genera  represented  and  the  families  Ophio- 
dermatidse,  Ophiocomidse,  Ophiothricidse,  and  Ophiomyxidse  are 
wholly  wanting.  Thirteen  of  the  species  were  previously  unknown. 
Sagami  Bay  demonstrated  anew  the  extraordinary  richness  of  its 
marine  fauna  by  revealing  twenty-nine  species  of  ophiurans  at  sta- 
tions 5085-5095,  while  eleven  other  species  were  taken  just  outside 
at  stations  5083  and  5084.  But  these  forty  species  represent  only 
sixteen  genera  and  nineteen  of  the  forty  were  previously  known. 
The  fauna  of  Sagami  Bay  is  not  therefore  quite  so  diversified  as  that 
off  Kagoshima  Gulf. 

In  the  descriptions  of  the  new  species  I  have  thought  it  better  to 
give  an  estimate  as  to  the  length  of  the  arms,  even  though  they  may 
be  all  broken  in  the  type-specimen,  than  to  leave  that  important 
point  in  doubt.  Where  the  measurement  is  given  without  qualifica- 
tion it  may  be  understood  to  represent  the  actual  measurement  of 
an  unbroken,  normal  arm,  but  when  the  word  "about"  precedes  the 
figures  given,  it  indicates  that  the  measurement  is  based  on  a  careful 
calculation  from  data  furnished  by  other  specimens.  The  addition 
of  the  word  "probably"  shows  that  satisfactory  data  for  calculation 
were  lacking  and  the  measurement  is  therefore  quite  open  to  ques- 
tion. The  number  of  arms  is  five  in  all  cases,  unless  there  is  direct 
assertion  of  some  other  number  being  present. 

The  type-specimens  of  all  the  new  species  described  are  in  the 
collection  of  the  U.  S.  National  Museum,  Washington,  but  cotypes 
of  more  than  two-thirds  of  them  are  in  the  Museum  of  Comparative 
Zoology,  Cambridge. 

For  the  pleasure  and  profit  of  studying  this  great  collection  I 
desire  to  extend  my  sincere  thanks  to  the  Hon.  George  M.  Bowers 
and  Dr.  H.  M.  Smith  of  the  Bureau  of  Fisheries,  and  to  Dr.  Richard 
Rathbun  of  the  U.  S.  National  Museum.  For  the  collaboration  of 
an  excellent  artist,  Miss  Violet  Dandridge,  and  for  many  other 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK.  7 

courtesies  in  the  preparation  and  publication  of  this  report  I  am 
indebted  to  the  National  Museum,  and  for  many  helpful  suggestions 
to  Doctor  Rathbun  and  Miss  Mary  J.  Rathbun. 

THE  DISTRIBUTION  OF  THE  NORTH  PACIFIC  OPHIUROIDEA. 

Doubtless  the  most  interesting  result  of  the  study  of  the  mass  of 
material  which  has  just  passed  through  my  hands  is  found  in  the 
light  which  it  throws  on  the  distribution  of  the  species  of  ophiurans 
with  reference  to  the  shore  lines,  to  the  depth  and  temperature  of  the 
water,  and  to  each  other. 

GEOGRAPHICAL   DISTRIBUTION. 

The  great  bulk  of  the  collection  is  made  up  of  species  from  southern 
Japan,  no  less  than  112  of  the  189  species  (60  per  cent)  being  nearly 
or  quite  confined  to  that  region,  at  least  so  far  as  the  present  collection 
reveals  their  distribution.  As  a  good  example  of  this  group  may  be 
cited  Ophiura  sterea,  which  was  taken  at  fourteen  stations  on  both 
the  eastern  and  western  coasts  of  Japan  as  far  north  as  38°.  On  the 
eastern  coast  few  of  these  112  southern  species  extend  beyond  lat. 
38°  N.  and  most  of  them  seem  to  find  their  northern  limit  in  or  near 
Sagami  Bay.  On  the  western  coast,  however  (i.  e.,  in  the  Sea  of 
Japan),  they  apparently  extend  somewhat  farther  north,  as  far  as 
Tsugaru  Strait  (nearly  42°)  and  occasionally  farther,  even  beyond 
the  forty-third  parallel.  Yet  nearly  one-third  of  the  112  southern 
species  were  not  taken  on  either  coast  north  of  the  thirty-third  par- 
allel and  do  not  appear  to  enter  the  Sea  of  Japan  nor  to  extend  up 
the  east  coast  of  Honshu  Island.  A  large  group  of  species  which  do 
not  extend  into  the  Sea  of  Japan  do  follow  the  southeastern  coast  of 
the  islands  as  far  as  Suruga  Gulf.  On  the  other  hand,  there  are  very 
few  species  which  occur  in  the  Sea  of  Japan  which  do  not  also  occur 
in  Suruga  Gulf  or  Sagami  Bay,  so  that  the  ophiuran  fauna  of  the  Sea 
of  Japan  is  apparently  far  less  varied  than  that  of  the  Pacific  shores 
of  Honshu,  Shikoku,  and  Kiusiu  islands.  There  can  be  no  question 
that  this  very  rich  ophiuran  fauna  of  southern  Japan  is  closely  allied 
to  the  still  richer  East  Indian  fauna,  although  it  is  far  from  identical 
with  it,  for  scarcely  a  dozen  of  the  112  species  comprising  the  Japa- 
nese fauna  have  yet  been  taken  in  the  East  Indian  region.  While 
there  is  little  reason  to  doubt  that  further  collecting  will  show  a 
much  larger  number  of  species  common  to  the  two  regions,  it  seems 
both  proper  and  desirable  to  recognize  the  assemblage  of  species 
around  southern  Japan  as  a  distinct  group,  which  we  may  conven- 
iently call  the  HONSHU  fauna. 

Aside  from  this  Honshu  fauna,  the  largest  assemblage  of  species 
from  a  given  district  is  shown  at  the  opposite  extreme  of  the  area 


8  BULLETIN   75,   UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 

explored  by  the  Albatross,  namely,  the  vicinity  of  the  Aleutian 
Islands  and  northward.  As  this  group  is  particularly  characteris- 
tic of  Bering  Sea,  it  may  well  be  called  the  BERING  fauna.  It  is 
made  up  of  some  twenty-four  species,  of  which  Ophiura  maculata 
may  be  cited  as  a  typical  example ;  this  species  is  represented  in  the 
collection  from  eighteen  different  stations,  of  which  the  farthest  north 
is  about  lat.  71°  N.,  the  farthest  south  at  52°,  the  farthest  east  is 
about  long.  166°  W.,  and  the  farthest  west  near  long.  159°  E.  It 
will  be  noted  that  these  limits  are  practically  those  of  Bering  Sea 
itself,  except  to  the  northward,  where  several  of  the  twenty-four 
species  extend  into  the  Arctic  Ocean.  Two  of  the  twenty-four  were 
taken  as  far  east  as  long.  136°  W.,  but  only  in  water  exceeding  1,500 
fathoms  in  depth;  none  of  the  others  were  found  east  of  148°  and  only 
one  east  of  Kadiak.  To  the  south  westward,  however,  we  find  three 
species  extending  their  range  along  the  Kurile  Islands  into  the 
Okhotsk  Sea. 

Connecting  the  Honshu  and  Bering  faunas  are  a  group  of  sixteen 
species,  which  either  range  from  Bering  Sea  southwestward  into  the 
sea  of  Japan  or  southeastward  below  lat.  52°  N.,  or  else  have  been 
taken  as  yet  only  in  the  vicinity  of  Sakhalin  or  the  Hokkaido.  As  a 
rule,  however,  it  is  easy  to  see  with  which  fauna  these  species  are 
naturally  allied,  and  the  following  list  is  an  attempt  to  assign  each  to 
its  proper  place : 

Ophiura  brachyactis.  Bering  fauna;  indicated  by  its  occurrence  only  in  extremely 
cold  water  in  the  Okhotsk  Sea. 

Ophiura  flag ellata.  Probably  neither  Bering  nor  Honshu,  but  more  properly  regarded 
as  Oceanic.  (See  below.) 

Ophiura  irrorata.    Like  0.  flagellata. 

Ophiura  penichra.  Honshu  fauna;  indicated  by  relationship  to  sterea  and  the  locality 
where  taken,  south  of  the  Hokkaido. 

Ophiura  quadrispina.  Bering  fauna,  but  extending  southwestward  into  the  northern 
part  of  the  Sea  of  Japan. 

Ophiopenia  disacantha.     Bering  fauna,  rarely  extending  into  the  Sea  of  Japan. 

Ophiopholis  mirabilis.     Honshu  fauna;  indicated  by  its  temperature  range. 

Amphiodia  crater odmeta.     Bering  fauna,  rarely  extending  into  the  Sea  of  Japan. 

Ophiacantha  adiaphora.  Bering  fauna;  indicated  by  temperature  range;  rarely  extend- 
ing southward  to  Sea  of  Japan  and  Sagami  Bay. 

Ophiacantha  bathybia.  Bering  fauna;  indicated  by  temperature  range;  extending 
southward  to  51°. 

Ophiacantha  bidentata.  Bering  fauna;  indicated  by  temperature  range;  extending 
southward  into  the  Sea  of  Japan. 

Ophiacantha  cataleimmoida.  Bering  fauna,  extending  southward  on  the  east  coast  of 
Japan. 

Ophiacantha  rhachophora.  Completely  connects  the  two  faunas  and  can  not  be  assigned 
certainly  to  either  one. 

Ophiolebes  asaphes.  Bering  fauna;  indicated  by  temperature  range  and  by  distribu- 
tion of  its  related  species. 

Ophiolebes  brachygnatha.     Bering  fauna. 

Ophiolebes  tylota.     Bering  fauna,  rarely  extending  into  the  Sea  of  Japan. 


NOBTH   PACIFIC    OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM — CLARK.  9 

Leaving  Ophiura  flagellata  and  0.  irrorata  to  be  considered  later,  we 
find  that  with  the  single  exception  of  Ophiacantfia  rhachophora  it  is 
possible  to  assign  each  of  the  above  species  to  its  proper  fauna,  and 
by  so  doing  it  appears  that  of  the  total  189  species  114,  or  more 
than  60  per  cent,  belong  to  the  Honshu  fauna  and  35,  or  18.5  percent, 
belong  to  the  Bering  fauna.  The  two  faunas  therefore  include  about 
four-fifths  of  the  species  collected. 

The  next  most  important  group  of  species  is  made  up  of  those 
which  occur  throughout  the  entire  North  Pacific  or  which  have  been 
taken  at  such  widely  separated  stations,  it  seems  most  probable  that 
such  is  their  distribution.  There  are  fourteen  species  in  this  group, 
as  follows: 

Ophiura  sarsii.     From  55°  59'  N.  to  32°  27'  N.  in  the  Eastern  Sea  and  to  Monterey  on 

the  California  coast;  5  to  695  fathoms. 
Ophiura  leptoctenia.     From  55°  35'  N.  to  33°  35'  20"  on  the  eastern  coast  of  Japan  and 

to  47°  22'  on  the  American  coast;  67  to  1,771  fathoms. 
Ophiura  cryptolepis.     From  58°  17'  N.  to  34°  10'  30"  on  the  Japanese  coast  and  to  47° 

29'  30"  on  the  American;  230  to  636  fathoms. 
Ophiura  ponderosa.     From  58°  17'  N.  to  48°  43X  30"  on  the  Asiatic  coast  and  to  36°  49' 

20"  on  the  American;  75  to  456  fathoms. 
Ophiocien  padficum.     From  51°  23'  N.  to  34°  4'  20"  on  the  Japanese  coast  and  to  45° 

30'  on  the  American;  501  to  876  fathoms. 
Ophiomusium  lymani.     From  52°  29'  to  30°  59'  on  the  Japanese  coast  and  to  47°  22'  on 

the  American;  70  to  1,588  fathoms. 
Ophiomusium  jolliensis. '  From  45°  9'  35"  N.  to  33°  35'  20"  on  the  Japanese  coast  and 

to  36°  49'  20"  on  the  American;  167  to  505  fathoms. 
Ophiopholis  aculeata  and  varieties.     From  58°  N.  to  middle  Japan  and   California; 

shore  to  1,030  fathoms. 
Amphiura  carchara.     From  56°  55'  N.  to  35°  9'  40"  on  the  Japanese  coast  and  to  47°  25' 

30"  on  the  American;  60  to  1,973  fathoms. 
Amphiodia  euryaspis.     From  54°  36'  30"  N.  to  36°  6'  5"  on  the  Japanese  coast  and  to 

36°  44'  45"  on  the  American;  68  to  318  fathoms. 
Ophiacantha  normani.     From  58°  17'  N.  to  32°  32'  on  the  Japanese  coast  and  to  45°  9' 

35"  on  the  American;  40  to  987  fathoms. 
Ophicantha  bairdi.     From  54°  32'  N.  to  33°  53'  N.  on  the  Japanese  coast  and  to  47°  29' 

30"  on  the  American;  344  to  943  fathoms. 
Asteronyx  loveni.     From  57°  N.  to  34°  on  the  Japanese  coast  and  to  36°  41'  50"  on  the 

American;  83  to  918  fathoms. 
Gorgonocephalus  caryi.     From  59°  22'  N .  to  30°  57'  20"  on  the  Japanese  coast  and  to  37° 

21'  on  the  American;  8  to  578  fathoms. 

An  examination  of  this  list  reveals  some  very  interesting  facts. 
Of  the  fourteen  species  nine  were  previously  known,  and  six  of  these 
from  outside  the  North  Pacific  region,  as  here  restricted;  five  are 
known  from  the  Atlantic  Ocean.  All  of  the  fourteen  show  a  consid- 
erable bathymetrical  range;  ten  occur  in  less  than  100  fathoms,  while 
all  are  found  at  depths  exceeding  300  fathoms;  three  have  a 
bathymetrical  range  of  over  1,500  fathoms.  With  only  one  excep- 
tion these  species  extend  farther  south  on  the  Asiatic  than  on  the 
American  coast.  As  would  naturally  be  expected,  nearly  all  have 


10  BULLETIN   75,    UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

a  considerable  temperature  range;  all  occur  in  water  colder  than 
40°  F.,  and  seven  were  found  in  water  below  32°,  yet  six  live  in 
water  warmer  than  50°.  These  facts  all  go  to  show  that  we  have  here 
a  group  of  hardy,  adaptable  species,  able  to  live  and  apparently  to 
prosper  under  very  diverse  conditions.  Such  a  group  may  appro- 
priately be  spoken  of  as  the  OCEANIC  fauna.  To  this  fauna  may  well 
be  assigned  four  other  species,  whose  range  is  more  discontinuous 
than  that  of  the  species  just  discussed,  but  which  probably  belong, 
nevertheless,  to  the  same  group.  Two  of  the  four  have  already  been 
referred  to  in  connection  with  the  list  of  species  joining  the  Honshu 
and  Bering  faunas.  In  placing  them  in  the  Oceanic  fauna  I  am,  of 
course,  influenced  by  their  known  distribution  outside  of  the  North 
Pacific  area. 

Ophiura  flagellata.    From  54°  33'  30"  N.  to  9°  3'  24"  N.  on  the  coast  of  India;  53  to 

876  fathoms. 
Ophiura  irrorata.    From  55°  23'  N.  to  New  South  Wales,  600  to  2,200  fathoms. 

The  other  two  species  to  be  added  to  the  Oceanic  fauna  are — 

Ophiernus  adspersus.  From  33°  25'  20"  N.  to  Cape  Comorin,  India,  to  10°  2V  S.  be- 
tween Sumba  and  Timor,  and  to  the  Galapagos  Islands;  244  to  1,997  fathoms. 

Amphiura  diomedese.  From  36°  46'  N .  to  9°  3'  24"  S.,  between  Sumba  and  Flores  and 
to  Galera  Point,  Ecuador;  39  to  1,573  fathoms. 

To  the  Oceanic  fauna  then,  eighteen  species  are  here  assigned. 

There  are  four  species  (Amphiura  acrystata,  Amphiodia  macraspis, 
Amphioplus  TiexacantJius ,  Ophionereis  eurybrachiplax) ,  which  are 
reported  from  off  the  coast  of  California  or  Washington,  although 
most  of  the  specimens  were  taken  in  Japanese  waters.  In  the 
present  condition  of  our  knowledge  it  is  impossible  to  give  the  exact 
f  aunal  position  of  these  species,  but  I  am  inclined  to  consider  them  as 
members  of  the  Honshu  fauna,  whose  range  as  far  as  American  waters 
is  open  to  some  doubt. 

An  interesting  group  of  eight  species  occurs  on  the  coasts  of  Wash- 
ington, Oregon,  and  California,  and  has  not  been  found  north  of  the 
fifty-second  parallel.  One  of  these  (Ophiopteris  papillosa)  is  a 
southern  species  which  barely  enters  the  region  included  in  this 
report.0  Of  the  others,  four  previously  unknown  species  were  taken 
at  only  a  single  station  each  and  may  perhaps  also  be  southern  species. 
They  are — 

Ophiomusium  multispinum.  Amphilimna  pentacantha. 

Amphiodia  strongyloplax.  Ophiocynodus  corynetes. 

The  three  remaining  species,  which  were  taken  at  a  number  of 
stations  and  seem  to  be  characteristic  of  the  region,  are — 

Ophiopholis  longispina.  Ophiacantha  diplasia. 

Ophiopholis  bakeri. 

a  Although  Ophiothrix  spiculata  is  recorded  in  this  report  from  Alaska  it,  too,  is  un- 
questionably a  southern  species.  The  Alaskan  record  is  almost  certainly  a  mistake. 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK.          11 

It  is  probable  that  this  trio  is  not  an  example  of  a  special  fauna, 
but  belongs  properly  with  the  following  group  of  species,  which  range 
from  Alaska  southward  along  the  American  coast  and  do  not  occur 
in  the  western  Pacific: 

Ophiura  lutkeni.  Amphiodia  occidentalis. 

Ophiura  hadra.  Amphiodia  periercta. 

Amphiodia  urtica .  Amphipholis  pugetana . 

One  variety  (kennerlyi)  of  Ophiopholis  aculeata  is  also  restricted  to 
this  region.  Since  some  of  these  species  occur  as  far  south  as  Southern 
California,  the  group  is  characteristic  of  the  continental  coast  and 
may  very  appropriately  be  called  the  AMERICAN  fauna. 

We  find,  then,  as  a  result  of  our  study  of  the  geographical  distribu- 
tion of  the  189  species  of  Ophiurans  in  the  collection  that  we  can 
recognize  four  quite  distinct  faunas  in  the  North  Pacific,  as  follows : 

BERING  FAUNA.  Extends  from  the  Arctic  Ocean  southward  to  Kadiak  on  the  American 
coast  and  on  the  Asiatic  side  to  Tsugaru  Strait  and  even  into  the  Sea  of  Japan:  35 
species. 

HONSHU  FAUNA.  Surrounds  Honshu  Island,  Japan,  but  especially  characterizes 
the  southeastern  and  southern  coasts  and  extends  an  unknown  distance  south- 
ward: 114  species. 

AMERICAN  FAUNA.  Extends  from  the  Alaskan  peninsula  southward  to  California:  9 
species. 

OCEANIC  FAUNA.  Found  distributed  more  or  less  regularly  throughout  the  North 
Pacific:  18  species. 

(Of  the  remaining  thirteen  species,  a  few  are  southern  species  or 
seem  to  connect  two  of  these  faunal  regions,  but  the  distribution  of 
the  majority  is  too  imperfectly  known  to  enable  us  to  place  them 
properly.) 

Before  leaving  the  matter  of  geographical  distribution  there  are 
S,  few  points  to  which  it  may  be  well  to  call  attention — the  existence 
of  a  circumpolar  fauna,  the  occurrence  of  West  Indian  species  in  the 
North  Pacific,  and  the  position  of  the  line  between  the  Bering  and 
Honshu  faunas. 

The  existence  of  a  truly  circumpolar  fauna  has  been  questioned  by 
some  zoologists,  but  I  see  no  reason  to  doubt  that  certain  species  of 
ophiurans  are  completely  circumpolar  in  their  distribution.  At  any 
rate  they  are  known  from  north  of  Europe,  Asia,  and  America,  and 
while  there  are  many  regions,  often  of  wide  extent,  where  they  have 
not  been  taken,  such  negative  evidence  is  of  little  value,  since  such 
areas  have,  as  a  rule,  never  been  zoologically  explored.  Furthermore, 
there  are,  of  course,  many  places  where  local  conditions  forbid  the  exist- 
ence of  ophiurans;  their  absence  from  such  places  can  not  therefore 
be  rightly  construed  as  denying  their  existence  in  the  region.  The 
following  North  Pacific  species  are  also  known  from  the  North 


12  BULLETIN   75,   UNITED   STATES    NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

Atlantic  and  from  the  seas  north  of  Europe  and  of  western  Asia  and 
seem  to  me  to  be  entitled  to  the  name  of  a  CIRCUMPOLAR  fauna: 

Ophiura  sarsii.  Ophiopholis  aculeata. 

Ophiura  nodosa.  Amphiura  sundevalli. 

Ophiura  stuwitzii.  Ophiacantha  bidentata. 

As  regards  the  occurrence  of  a  West  Indian  element  in  the  North 
Pacific  fauna,  the  following  species  have  all  been  taken  in  the  Gulf 
of  Mexico,  Caribbean  Sea,  or  subtropical  Atlantic: 

Ophiura  sculptilis.  Ophiacantha  bairdi. 

Ophiernus  adspersus.  Aster  onyx  loveni. 

Ophiomusium  lymani. 

But  it  must  be  noted  that  all  of  them  are  known  from  the  East 
Indian  region  and  perhaps  represent  an  intertropical  fauna.  At  any 
rate,  with  the  possible  exception  of  Ophiacantha  bairdi,  they  can  not 
fairly  be  considered  as  distinctively  West  Indian.  The  extent  of  an 
intertropical  fauna  is  one  of  the  points  in  the  geographical  distribution 
of  marine  animals  upon  which  much  light  is  needed.  That  such  a 
fauna  exists  seems  almost  certain. 

The  ophiuran  fauna  of  the  Okhotsk  Sea  is  not  extensive,  the 
Albatross  collecting  only  thirteen  species  there  (stations  5014-5030). 
Of  these  five  are  certainly  representative  of  the  Bering  fauna, 
while  the  other  eight  belong  to  the  widespread  Oceanic  group. 
To  the  north  and  east  around  the  southern  end  of  Kamchatka  and 
off  the  Kurile  Islands  (stations  4794-4805),  six  additional  species 
were  taken,  all  belonging  to  the  Bering  fauna.  Passing  south  and 
west  through  La  Perouse  Strait  into  the  Gulf  of  Tartary,  and  thence 
southward  along  the  western  coast  of  the  Hokkaido  to  Tsugaru 
Strait  (stations  4982-5013),  no  essential  change  in  the  fauna  is  found; 
the  few  ophiurans  taken  are  all  of  either  the  Bering  or  the  Oceanic 
fauna.  On  the  other  hand,  passing  through  Yezo  Strait  along  the 
eastern  and  southern  coasts  of  the  Hokkaido  (stations  5031-5045), 
we  meet  with  one  species  (Ophiura  penichra)  which,  although  riot 
taken  farther  south,  is  at  least  suggestive  of  the  Honshu  fauna. 
Passing  southward  from  Tsugaru  Strait,  in  the  Sea  of  Japan  (stations 
4807-4841)  we  meet  at  once  with  Ophiura  stiphra,  a  characteristic 
Honshu  species,  while  Ophiothrix  Icoreana,  an  even  more  characteristic 
species,  was  taken  in  Hakodate  Bay  and  in  Tsugaru  Strait.  Although 
Ophiura  opdiplax  was  taken  above  Sado  Island,  no  other  representa- 
tives of  the  Honshu  fauna  were  taken  north  of  the  Noto  peninsula, 
while  the  Oceanic  fauna  is  still  represented  by  at  least  three  species 
and  the  Bering  fauna  by  two  or  three.  As  the  vicinity  of  Tsuruga  is 
reached,  although  Ophiura  sarsii  is  still  common,  the  other  Oceanic 
and  the  Bering  species  disappear  and  are  replaced  by  five  Honshu 
species.  Crossing  the  thirty-sixth  parallel  and  passing  into  the  east- 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK. 


13 


ern  channel  of  the  Straits  of  Korea  five  other  Honshu  species  appear, 
while  even  Ophiura  sarsii  is  now  no  longer  to  be  found.  Keturning 
to  the  east  coast  of  Honshu  Island,  we  find  that  the  Albatross  did 
very  little  collecting  north  of  Sagami  Bay,  and  that  little  was 
done  in  the  vicinity  of  Kinkaasan  Light,  just  above  the  thirty- 
eighth  parallel.  In  that  region  the  Oceanic  and  Bering  faunas 
are  each  represented  by  two  species  and  the  Honshu  fauna  by  one. 
In  Sagami  Bay,  the  abundant  ophiuran  fauna  is  almost  exclusively 
Honshu.  It  appears,  therefore,  quite  clear  that  the  thirty-sixth 
parallel  approximately  indicates  the  line  of  separation  between  the 
Bering  and  Honshu  faunas  both  in  the  Sea  of  Japan  and  on  the 
Pacific  coast.  So  far  as  the  latter  is  concerned  the  reason  seems 
obvious,  for  it  is  in  this  region  that  Honshu  Island  bends  abruptly 
northward  and  the  great,  warm  Kuroshiwo  current  from  the  south,  on 
its  Pacific  side,  meets  and  deflects  the  cold  current  from  Bering  Sea. 
It  is  less  easy  to  see  why  in  the  Sea  of  Japan  the  two  faunas  should 
meet  along  the  same  parallel,  but  it  is  probable  that  the  fauna  of  that 
sea  has  been  formed  by  the  entrance  of  northern  species  through  La 
Perouse  Strait  and  of  southern  species  through  the  Straits  of  Korea. 
The  local  conditions  appear  to  be  more  favorable  to  the  northern 
species  in  that  greater  part  of  the  sea  which  lies  above  the  thirty-sixth 
parallel. 

BATHYMETRICAL   AND   TEMPERATURE    DISTRIBUTION. 

No  less  interesting  than  the  geographical  distribution  is  the  dis- 
tribution with  reference  to  depth  and  temperature.  Seven  species 
were  taken  only  in  water  exceeding  1 ,000  fathoms.  They  are : 


Species. 

Depth. 

Tempera- 
ture. 

Ophiura  bathybia  (taken  at  four  stations)    .                                   

Fathoms. 
1,569-1,973 

Deg.  F. 
35.1-34.9 

1,008 

36.8 

Anthophiura  axiologa  (taken  at  one  station)                                            

1,217 

35.2 

1,008 

36.8 

AmpMlcpis  platytdtd  (taken  at  two  stations) 

1,569-1,973 

35-34.9 

Ophiacantha  prionota  (taken  at  one  station)                     

1,008 

36.8 

1,569 

34.9 

While  all  are  probably  abyssal  species,  so  few  stations  (six)  are 
represented  we  have  almost  no  light  on  their  real  bathymetrieal  dis- 
tribution. In  view  of  the  bathy metrical  range  of  965  fathoms 
(1,008-1,973),  the  extraordinarily  limited  temperature  range  of  less 
than  two  degrees  (36.8°-34.9°)  is  the  most  interesting  point  about 
this  group  of  species,  but  it  would  have  more  significance  were  more 
stations  involved. 


14 


BULLETIN    75,   UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 


At  depths  exceeding  500  fathoms,  sixteen  additional  species  were 
taken,  which  were  not  found  at  a  less  depth.     They  are: 


Species. 

Depth. 

Tempera- 
ture. 

/ 

OphiuTa  iTTOTata  .  . 

Fathoms. 
C24-1  800 

Deg   F. 
38  1  35  1 

Ophiura  clasta  

507-918 

39-36  8 

Ophiura  hadra 

859-877 

36  6-36  5 

Ophiura  atacta 

G25 

37  3 

Ophiocten  pacificum  .             

501-876 

38.  1-36.  5 

Ophiotrochus  longispinus 

918 

36  8 

Ophiomusiufn  fnuUispinum.  . 

877 

36  6 

Ophiomitra  bythiaspis  

943 

36.4 

Ophiomitra  codonomorpha 

943 

36  4 

Ophiacantha  anchilabra  ....        .                       .          .   . 

649-918 

38.  1-36.  8 

Ophiacantha  bathybia  

876-1,973 

36.  5-34.  9 

Ophiacantha  hylacantha 

918 

36.8 

Ophiacantha  lepidota  

625 

37.3 

Ophiacantha  fnegatreta 

587-943 

38  9-36  4 

Ophiacantha  Icucosticta 

507 

39 

Ophiacantha  macrarthra  

584 

37.2 

With  the  possible  exception  of  Ophiotrochus,  none  of  the  genera  in 
this  list  are  characteristically  deep-water  forms;  all  of  the  others  occur 
in  less  than  100  fathoms.  While  twelve  species  pass  the  800-fathom 
line,  only  two  occur  in  water  exceeding  1,000  fathoms;  those  two,  it 
will  be  noted,  have  a  very  remarkable  bathymetrical  range,  one  of 
1,097,  the  other  of  1,176  fathoms.  In  view  of  the  considerable  num- 
ber of  stations  involved,  the  temperature  range  is  very  small,  only 
4.1°  (39°-34.9°). 

Eighteen  additional  species  occur  only  in  water  exceeding  300 
fathoms  in  depth;  eight  of  these  extend  into  water  exceeding  500 
fathoms,  but  only  two  pass  the  800-fathom  line  and  they  do  not 
reach  1,000  fathoms.  The  temperature  range  for  these  eighteen 
species  is  7.6°  (42.9°-35.3°). 

At  depths  from  100  to  300  fathoms,  forty-one  species  were  taken, 
of  which  sixteen  were  found  below  300  fathoms,  eleven  below  500 
but  only  two  below  800.  The  temperature  range  in  this  group  is 
very  great,  over  30°  (60.6°-30.4°),  but  for  any  one  species  the  ex- 
treme range  is  only  about  12°  (44.1°-31.8°),  and  for  about  two-thirds 
of  the  species  it  is  less  than  5°. 

There  are  fifty  species  which  were  taken  between  50  and  100 
fathoms;  of  these,  forty- three  extend  their  range  beyond  the  100- 
fathom  line,  twenty-five  beyond  300  fathoms,  fifteen  beyond  500, 
six  beyond  800,  and  four  beyond  1,000.  Naturally  the  temperature 
range  is  extensive,  45°  (75.4°-30.4°),  though  the  extreme  for  any  one 
species  is  25.3°;  one  other  species  has  a  range  exceeding  20°  and 
for  seventeen  others  it  exceeds  10°. 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK. 


15 


There  are  two  species  the  depth  of  whose  habitat  is  not  known,  but 
the  remainder  of  the  collection,  fifty-five  species  in  all,  were  taken  in 
water  less  than  50  fathoms  deep,  and  may  fairly  be  considered  littoral 
forms.  Of  these  no  less  than  thirty-four  are  known  to  extend  their 
range  beyond  50  fathoms,  twenty-eight  beyond  100,  twelve  beyond 
300,  seven  beyond  500,  four  beyond  800,  and  two  even  pass  the 
1,000-fathom  line.  The  temperature  range  can  not  be  given  because 
there  are  no  temperature  records  for  most  of  the  shallow-water  sta- 
tions, but  as  Ophiopholis  aculeata  was  taken  at  the  extraordinarily 
low  temperature  of  29.8°,  it  is  more  than  likely  that  the  temperature 
range  for  the  group  exceeds  50°.  The  extreme  range  for  any  one 
species  is  33.8°. 

It  will  be  noted  that  of  the  187  species  whose  bathymetrical  range 
is  known,  146,  or  nearly  80  per  cent,  are  distinctly  shallow-water 
forms,  having  been  taken  at  less  than  300  fathoms.  Of  these  146 
species,  55,  or  38  per  cent,  extend  their  range  beyond  300  fathoms, 
while  35,  or  24  per  cent,  are  not  recorded  from  below  100  fathoms. 
Of  the  forty-one  species  not  taken  in  less  than  300  fathoms,  thirty- 
one  occur  below  500  fathoms.  Of  these  really  deep-water  species, 
twelve  belong  to  the  genus  Ophiacaniha,  six  to  Ophiura,  and  three 
to  Ophiomitra.  The  remainder  represent  ten  different  genera,  of 
which  the  following  four  may  fairly  be  considered  characteristic  of 
the  abyssal  region: 


Anthophiura. 


Ophiotrochus. 


Ophiambix. 


Amphilepis. 


The  following  eight  species  have  a  bathymetrical  range  of  more 
than  1,000  fathoms: 


Species. 

Fathoms. 

Range. 

OpMuTa  leptoctenia. 

67-1,  771 

1,704 

Ophiura  irrorata                                                                                               .   . 

600-2,200 

1,600 

Ophiernus  adspersus  .                 .          

244-1,997 

1,753 

Ophiomusium  lymani 

70-1,588 

1,518 

Ophiopholis  aculeata  (var.  japonica)                                                     

8-1,030 

1,022 

60-1,973 

1,913 

AmpMura  diomedese                                                                                     .'     .  . 

39-1,573 

1,534 

Ophiacantha  bathybia                                                             

876-1,973 

1,097 

With  this  group  belong  the  following  trio,  whose  range,  however, 
is  not  quite  so  extensive: 


Species. 

Fathoms. 

Range. 

65-1,008 

943 

Ophiomitra  acontophora               .                        

229-1,217 

988 

40-    987 

947 

16  BULLETIN  .75,    UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

It  is  worthy  of  note  that  eight  of  these  eleven  species  belong  to  the 
Oceanic  fauna,  two  to  the  Bering,  and  only  one  to  the  Honshu  area, 
which  certainly  supports  the  view  that  species  with  a  great  bathymet- 
rical  range  tend  to  become  widely  distributed. 

Three  other  species  (Ophiura  flagellata,  Ophiacantha  pentagona, 
Asteronyx  loveni)  have  a  bathymetrical  range  of  over  800  fathoms. 
Two  of  these  belong  to  the  Oceanic  fauna  and  the  third  is  very  widely 
distributed  in  the  East  Indian  region.  There  are  fourteen  addi- 
tional species  which  have  a  bathymetrical  range  of  over  500  fathoms, 
and  five  of  these  belong  to  the  Oceanic  fauna.  We  see  therefore  that 
of  the  eighteen  species  belonging  to  that  fauna  fourteen  have  a 
bathymetrical  range  of  over  500  fathoms,  which  lends  support  to  the 
proposition  that  species  occurring  on  both  sides  of  the  North  Pacific 
have  a  great  bathymetrical  range. 

Of  the  158  species  of  whose  temperature  range  we  have  some 
record,  one  (Ophiura  brachyactis,  two  stations)  was  taken  only  in  water 
colder  than  32°  and  the  following  seven  were  taken  only  below  36°: 

Ophiura  cediplax,  two  stations.  Ophiacantha  eurypoma,  one  station. 

Ophiura  bathybia,  four  stations.  Ophiacantha  omoplata,  one  station. 

Anthophiura  axiologa,  one  station.  Ophiolebes  brachygnatha,  two  stations. 
Amphilepis  platytata,  two  stations. 

While  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  all  of  these  eight  species  are 
characteristic  of  very  cold  water,  the  importance  of  the  list  is  vitiated 
by  the  fact  that  three  of  the  species  were  taken  at  only  a  single  sta- 
tion each,  arid  only  one  is  recorded  from  more  than  two  stations. 

There  are  forty-two  other  species  which  were  not  taken  in  water 
warmer  than  40°  and  twenty-three  more  which  were  not  found  above 
45°.  It  is  therefore  fair  to  say  that  not  less  than  38  per  cent  of  the 
189  species  in  the  collection  are  distinctly  cold-water  species,  and  this 
is  rather  remarkable  when  we  consider  that  less  than  30  per  cent  of 
the  189  belong  to  the  Bering  and  Oceanic  faunas  combined ;  that  only 
16  per  cent  are  really  deep-water  species,  and  that  nearly  80  per  cent 
were  taken  in  less  than  100  fathoms. 

On  the  other  hand,  there  are  forty-one  species  which  were  not 
taken  in  water  colder  than  50°,  and  there  is  every  reason  to  believe 
that  at  least  two-thirds  of  those  species  for  which  no  temperature  is 
recorded  (such  as  the  two  species  of  Opliiocoma,  the  two  species  of 
OphioplocuSj  four  species  of  Ophiothriz,  etc.)  belong  in  the  same  class. 
Moreover,  there  are  nineteen  additional  species  which  were  taken  in 
water  warmer  than  60°,  and  two  of  these  occurred  at  a  temperature 
higher  than  70°.  It  is  not  unreasonable,  therefore,  to  say  that  the 
number  of  distinctly  warm-water  species  nearly  or  quite  equals  that 
of  the  cold-water  forms. 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK.          17 

The  rest  of  the  collection,  about  one-fourth  of  the  species,  is  made 
up  of  forms  with  remarkable  temperature  ranges.  The  following 
species  have  ranges  of  20°  or  more: 

Ophiura  sarsii,  from  50.1°  to  30.1°,  a  range  of  20°. 

Ophiomusium  lymani,  from  56.3°  to  35.3°,  a  range  of  21°. 

Ophiopholis  aculeata  (var.  japonica),  from  57.8°  to  30.4°,  a  range  of  27.4°. 

Amphiura  diomedex,  from  68.7°  to  34.9°,  a  range  of  33.8°. 

Amphiodia  euryaspis,  from  58°  to  32.7°,  a  range  of  25.3°. 

Ophiacantha  pentagona,  from  62.1°  to  36.4°,  a  range  of  25.7°. 

Ophiacantha  normani,  from  55.9°  to  30.9°,  a  range  (if  25°. 

Ophiothrix  koreana,  from  68.7°  to  42.5°,  a  range  of  26.2°. 

Gorgonocephalus  caryi,  from  60.6°  to  30.7°,  a  range  of  29.9°. 

It  is  interesting  to  note  that  seven  of  these  nine  species  belong  to 
the  Oceanic  fauna,  as  might  have  been  expected,  while  the  other 
two  are  typical  examples  of  the  Honshu  fauna.  Of  the  remaining 
eleven  species  of  the  Oceanic  fauna,  six  have  a  temperature  range  of 
more  than  10°,  while  in  four  it  is  3°  or  less;  in  Amphiura  carchara, 
which  has  the  enormous  bathymetrical  range  of  over  1,900  fathoms, 
the  temperature  range  is  only  7.8°,  from  42.8°  to  35°.  Probably  in 
this  species  the  bathymetrical  range  is  determined  by  the  temperature 
rather  than  by  any  other  factor. 

It  is  clear  that  the  Oceanic  fauna  contains  two  quite  distinct  ele- 
ments :  One,  which  we  may  call  group  A,  and  which  is  much  the  larger 
(thirteen  species),  is  made  up  of  forms  to  which  temperature  is  a  sec- 
ondary factor,  and  a  second,  which  we  will  call  B,  whose  wide  dis- 
tribution seems  to  be  due  to  the  uniformly  low  temperature  of  deep 
water.  We  have  already  seen  (p.  14)  that  all  the  strictly  deep-water 
species  (i.  e.,  those  not  occurring  in  less  than  300  fathoms)  have  a 
very  restricted  temperature  range,  and  of  course  the  more  abyssal  the 
habitat  the  more  restricted  is  the  temperature  range.  Although  in 
the  present  state  of  our  knowledge,  group  B  is  only  a  small  part  (five- 
eighteenths)  of  the  Oceanic  fauna,  it  is  very  probable  that  all  the 
strictly  deep-water  species  really  belong  to  that  fauna,  and  should  not, 
simply  because  of  their  geographical  habitat,  be  placed  in  the  Honshu, 
or  Bering  or  American  faunas.  If  such  a  redistribution  of  the  species 
were  made,  group  A  would  certainly  prove  to  be  the  less  important 
half  of  the  Oceanic  fauna. 

ASSOCIATIONAL   DISTRIBUTION. 

One  of  the  most  interesting  phases  of  the  study  of  a  large  collection 
of  any  group  of  animals  from  a  limited  region  is  the  determination  of 
what  species  occur  together  at  any  given  station  or  in  any  restricted 
area.  Particularly  interesting  is  it  to  note  whether  closely  related 
species  occur  together  or  in  adjoining  areas  or  are  widely  separated 
from  each  other.  We  may  approach  the  matter  in  two  ways;  first, 
34916°— Bull.  75—11 2 


18  BULLETIN   75,   UNITED  STATES   NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 

by  an  examination  of  localities,  and,  second,  by  a  study  of  the  com- 
moner species. 

On  Bowers  Bank,  Bering  Sea,  stations  4767-4775,  at  a  depth  of 
237-771  fathoms,  with  a  bottom  temperature-  of  38.5°-36.5°,  the 
Albatross  collected  fourteen  species,  of  which  five  are  Ophiuras  and 
six  are  Ophiacanthas.  OphiopJiolis,  Ophiolebes,  and  Astrochele  are 
each  represented  by  a  single  species.  The  Ophiuras  (sarsii,  leptoctenia, 
quadrispina,  maculata,  flagellata)  all  belong  to  the  typical  section  of 
the  genus  and  are  very  nearly  related  to  each  other;  leptoctenia  and 
quadrispina  are  nearer  to  each  other  than  to  any  other  species,  and 
both  are  very  close  to  sarsii.  The  Ophiacanthas  (rhachophora,  adia- 
phora,  atopostoma,  normani,  bairdi,  macrarthra)  are  less  nearly  related 
to  each  other,  but  rhachophora  and  adiaphora  are  very  closely  allied. 

On  August  9,  southwest  of  the  Goto  Islands,  Eastern  Sea,  stations 
4893-4895,  in  95  to  106  fathoms  of  water,  with  a  bottom  temperature 
of  55.9°,  a  remarkable  assemblage  of  ophiurans  was  found,  twenty- two 
species  in  all,  representing  sixteen  genera.  Of  Ophiozona,  two  species 
were  taken,  but  they  are  not  particularly  nearly  allied,  and  the  same 
is  true  of  the  two  species  of  Ophiothrix.  OpJiiomyxa,  however,  is  rep- 
resented by  two  very  closely  related  but  quite  distinct  species  (anisa- 
caniha  and  australis).  Ophiacantha  furnishes  four  species,  of  which 
rhachopliom  and  pentagona  are  very  closely  related  indeed. 

A  week  later,  at  the  entrance  of  Kagoshima  Gulf,  stations  4933- 
4937,  in  58  to  152  fathoms,  with  a  bottom  temperature  of  64.8°-56°, 
a  larger  number  of  ophiurans  were  found  than  that  at  any  other 
place,  no  less  than  twenty-nine  species  being  taken  there.  The  list  is 
sufficiently  interesting  to  warrant  giving  it  here : 

Ophiura  micracantha.  Ophiacantha  granulosa. 

Ophiura  stiphra.  Ophiacantha  lophobrachia. 

Ophiocten  charischema.  Ophiacantha  leucorhabdota. 

Ophiomusium  laqueatum.  Opkiurases  obstrictus. 

Ophiomusium  lutkeni.  Ophiothrix  Icoreana. 

Ophiomusium  lunare.  Ophiothrix  macrobrachia. 

Ophiomusium  lymani.  Ophiomyxa  australis. 

Ophiomusium  simplex.  Ophiobyrsa  synaptacantha. 

Ophiopholis  brachyactis.  Ophiosyzygus  disacanthus. 

Ophiactis  dyscrita.  Asteroporpa  hadracantha. 

Amphiura  diomedess.  Astroceras  pergamena. 

Ophiodoris  pericalles.  Astrophyton  pardalis. 

Ophiomitra  polyacantha.  Gorgonocephalus  caryi. 

Ophiomitra  microphylax.  Euryale  anopla. 
Ophiocamax  polyploca. 

The  most  remarkable  points  about  this  assemblage  are  the  absence 
of  Ophiodermatidse  and  Ophiocomidse,  the  very  small  number  of 
Amphiuridge,  and  the  presence  of  five  species  of  Ophiomusium,  all 
rather  nearly  related  to  each  other.  The  two  species  of  Ophiura  are 


NORTH    PACIFIC   OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK.          19 

very  different  from  each  other,  and  the  same  is  true  of  the  two  species 
of  Ophiomitra,  the  two  of  OpJiioihrix,  and  the  three  of  Ophiacantha. 

Sagami  Bay  has  long  been  known  as  a  rich  collecting  ground,  and 
the  Albatross  found  numerous  ophiurans  there.  At  the  entrance  to 
the  Gulf  of  Tokio  stations  5091-5095,  in  water  58  to  302  fathoms  deep, 
with  a  bottom  temperature  of  57.8°-43.9°,  twenty-four  species  were 
collected,  of  which  three  are  species  of  Ophiacantha,  three  belong  to 
OpJiiopholis,  four  to  Ophiomusium,  and  six  to  Ophiura.  The  most 
notable  cases  of  closely  allied  species  in  this  group  are  those  of  Ophiura 
micracantha,  sarsii,  and  flagellata,  and  of  Ophiopholis  mirabilis  and 
aculeata. 

But  the  best  way  in  which  to  decide  whether  closely  allied  species 
occur  together  is  to  take  certain  well-defined  species  whose  nearest 
allies  are  also  North  Pacific  forms  and  see  whether  the  two  species 
often  or  ever  occur  at  the  same  place.  It  is  not  always  possible  to 
say  what  other  species  is  the  nearest  ally  of  any  given  species ;  such  a 
point  is  necessarily  largely  a  matter  of  personal  opinion.  But  for 
any  fair  discussion  of  associational  distribution  it  is  sufficient  if  the 
two  species  are  closely  enough  allied  so  that  one  might  naturally  have 
arisen  from  the  other. 

The  species  of  the  genus  Ophiura  form  a  large  proportion  of  the 
ophiuran  fauna  of  the  North  Pacific,  and  of  these  species  sarsii  is  by 
far  the  commonest  and  most  widely  distributed.  A  very  closely 
related  species,  liiikeni,  is  also  common  in  the  eastern  Pacific  and 
there  is  little  doubt  that  sarsii  is  the  nearest  relative  of  lutkeni. 
There  is  no  possible  question,  however,  of  their  specific  distinctness, 
for  the  difference  between  them  is  obvious  and  remarkably  constant. 
Yet  these  two  species  were  taken  at  the  same  station  seven  times 
(stations  2858,  2862,  2882,  3047,  3053,  3059,  and  Sitka)  and  twice 
they  were  taken  at  adjoining  stations  where  conditions  were  essen- 
tially identical  (stations  2867  and  2868,  and  2883  and  2884).  It  is 
clear,  therefore,  that  they  are  not  geographically  or  bathymetrically 
isolated  from  each  other. 

Another  equally  interesting  illustration  of  the  same  facts  in  the  same 
genus  is  shown  by  the  species  leptoctenia  and  quadrispina;  the  latter 
certainly  seems  to  find  in  the  former  its  nearest  ally,  yet  the  difference 
between  the  two  is  sharp  enough  to  prevent  any  difficulty  of  identi- 
fication. The  two  species  were  taken  together  at  stations  3331,  3332, 
3337,  4770,  4781,  4791,  and  5026.  Another  species  (micracantha)  is 
also  very  closely  allied  to  sarsii  and  leptoctenia;  it  was  taken  at  station 
5091,  while  sarsii  occurred  close  by  under  identical  conditions  at 
station  5092,  and  leptoctenia  not  very  far  away  at  station  5083. 

The  two  species  of  the  new  genus  Opliiopenia  were  taken  twice  at 
the  same  station  (at  Captains  Harbor,  Unalaska,  and  at  station  2854), 
and  there  can  be  no  possible  doubt  that  they  are  much  more  nearly 
allied  to  each  other  than  to  any  other  known  ophiurans. 


20  BULLETIN   75,   UNITED  STATES   NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 

The  genus  OpJiiomusium  throws  considerable  light  on  the  subject. 
The  species  cancellatum  and  jolliensis  are  very  closely  allied,  and 
there  is  little  doubt  that  the  latter  is  more  nearly  related  to  the  former 
than  to  any  other  species.  Yet  they  were  taken  together  at  stations 
3738,  4965,  5079,  and  5091.  At  station  4933,  0.  lufkeni  was  taken, 
while  at  the  neighboring  station,  4934,  under  the  same  conditions, 
0.  lunare,  a  very  closely  related  species,  was  taken.  The  three  species, 
lymani,  simplex,  and  trychnum,  are  very  nearly  allied  and  the  two 
latter  probably  find  their  nearest  relative  in  the  former.  At  station 
4933,  simplex  and  lymani  were  taken  together,  while  trychnum  and 
lymani  were  found  at  stations  3704  and  5092.  Furthermore,  lymani 
was  found  at  station  4956  and  at  station  4959,  only  5  miles  away, 
under  nearly  identical  conditions,  trychnum  occurred. 

In  the  genus  Amphiura  the  species  bellis  and  diomedese  are  very 
nearly  related ;  they  were  taken  together  at-  station  3697,  and  while 
diomedex  occurred  at  station  5082,  bellis  was  found  under  identical 
conditions  close  by  at  station  5083.  Two  species  of  AmpJiiodia 
(macraspis  and  euryaspis)  were  taken  together  at  stations  4862  and 
4997,  but  the  value  of  this  occurrence  is  vitiated  by  the  fact  that  these 
two  so-called  species  may  be  identical.  At  station  3713  AmpJiiodia 
ancistrota  and  A.  digitula  were  found  together. 

In  the  genus  Ophiacanfha  many  of  the  species  are  none  too  well 
defined,  and  this  is  particularly  true  of  the  pentagona  group,  including 
among  others  rhachophora  and  levispina.  Nevertheless  it  is  of  some 
interest  to  record  that  pentagona  and  levispina  occurred  together  at 
station  4916,  while  rhachophora  and  pentagona  were  found  associated 
at  stations  3698,  3713,  4893,  4902,  4903/4965,  and  4967.  Although 
Ophiacanfha  cataleimmoida  may  be  most  nearly  allied  to  0.  r  dicta,  it  is 
very  near  normani,  and  its  occurrence  with  the  latter  at  stations  2853, 
3332,  3338,  3340,  and  4980  is  worthy  of  note. 

Of  the  genus  Ophiolebes,  four  species  (tylota,  paucispina,  diapliora, 
and  brevispina)  are  so  nearly  allied  that  it  is  hard  to  determine  just 
what  their  interrelationships  are.  At  station  3480,  brevispina  and 
paucispina  were  found  together;  at  station  3599,  tylota  and  diaphora 
occurred;  at  station  4781,  tylota,  paucispina,  and  diaphora  were  all 
three  taken;  and  at  station  4784  tylota  and  diaphora  were  again  found. 

The  two  species  of  Ophiomyxa,  australis,  and  anisacaniha  are  so 
closely  allied  there  is  no  doubt  that  the  former  is  the  nearest  relative 
of  the  latter;  australis  was  found  at  stations  4894  and  4895,  while 
anisacantha  was  taken  at  stations  4892  and  4893;  yet  external  con- 
ditions at  the  four  stations  were  not  essentially  different. 

The  Japanese  basket-fish,  Gorgonocephalus  sagaminus,  certainly 
finds  its  nearest  ally  in  G.  caryi,  yet  the  two  are  perfectly  distinct. 
They  were  taken  together,  however,  at  three  stations  (3707,  4986, 


NORTH   PACIFIC   OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM — CLARK.          21 

4987)  and  caryi  was  taken  at  station  4892  while  sagaminus  was  found 
close  by  at  station  4894. 

It  seems  clear  from  this  unusual  array  of  facts  regarding  their  dis- 
tribution that  ophiurans  do  not  as  a  group  well  illustrate  "  Jordan's 
Law/'  which  has  been  stated  as  follows: 

Given  any  species  (or  kind)  in  any  region,  the  nearest  related  species  (or  kind)  is 
not  to  be  found  in  the  same  region  nor  in  a  remote  region,  but  in  a  neighboring  district 
separated  from  the  first  by  a  barrier  of  some  sort  or  at  least  by  a  belt  of  country,  the 
breadth  of  which  gives  the  effect  of  a  barrier. a 

Jordan  adds  (pp.  73,  74) : 

This  law  holds  good  as  a  general  rule  among  animals.  The  only  exceptions  yet 
indicated  are  found  among  plants  *  *  *,  among  Protozoa  *  *  *  and  in  a 
few  cases  which  seem  to  be  explainable  on  the  ground  of  reinVasion. 

So  far  as  we  have  any  evidence  there  is  neither  " barrier"  nor  "belt 
of  country"  separating  the  ophiurans  mentioned  above  from  their 
nearest  allies.  Further  evidence  in  support  of  this  conclusion  may 
be  gleaned  from  Lyman's  reports  on  the  ophiurans  collected  by  the 
Challenger  and  the  Blake. b  One  illustration  from  each  will  suffice. 
The  genus  Ophioplinthus  contains  only  two  known  species  (grisea  and 
medusa) ;  they  were  taken  by  the  Challenger  at  the  same  station  (156), 
in  very  deep  water  (1,975  fathoms)  in  the  Antarctic  Ocean  and  have 
never  been  taken  elsewhere.  The  Blake  collected  near  Martinique 
(station  203)  in  96  fathoms  of  water,  and  near  Santa  Cruz  (station 
132)  in  115  fathoms,  a  remarkably  well  characterized  species  (tuber- 
culosa) of  Hemieuryale,  a  genus  which  was  previously  monotypic. 
The  known  species  (pustulata)  was,  however,  common  at  both  the 
stations  where  tuber culosa  occurred.  It  may  be  worth  mentioning 
that  Sigsbeia  murrhina,  whose  nearest  ally  is  probably  Hemieuryale, 
was  also  common  at  both  stations.  These  cases  from  the  Challenger 
and  BlaJce  collections  agree  in  that  the  two  species  concerned  in  each 
instance  are  not  merely  congeneric  and  the  only  known  species  of  the 
genus,  but  they  are  very  closely  allied,  although  differing  by  very 
definite  characters.0 

One  other  illustration  may  be  given  in  this  matter,  not  simply  to 
add  weight  to  the  preceding  evidence,  but  because  it  affords  an  expla- 

«  D.  S.  Jordan,  Isolation  as  a  Factor  in  Organic  Evolution:  in  Fifty  Years  of  Dar- 
winism, 1909,  p.  73. 

&  Kcehler's  great  work  on  the  Siboga  ophiurans  furnishes  numerous  similar  cases, 
but  it  is  not  necessary  to  detail  them  here.  Suffice  it  to  say  that  at  Banda,  the  Siboga 
collected  eleven  species  of  Ophiothrix,  at  its  station  50,  ten  species  and  at  station  99, 
nine  species.  It  also  took  six  species  of  Ophiacantha  (in  a  restricted  sense)  and  five 
of  Ophiura  at  station  45,  and  six  species  of  Ophiacantha  were  also  taken  at  station  85. 

c  Verrill  (1899,  Oph.  Bahama  Exp.,  in  Bull.  Lab.  Nat.  Hist.  Univ.  Iowa,  vol.  5,  p. 
70)  makes  Hemieuryale  tuberculosa  the  type  of  a  new  genus,  but  whether  such  a  genus 
is  accepted  or  not  the  fact  remains  that  the  nearest  ally  of  tuberculosa  is  undoubtedly 
H.  pustulata. 


22  BULLETIN   75,   UNITED  STATES  NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 

nation  why  geographical  isolation  is  not  necessarily  an  important 
factor  among  marine  animals.  Throughout  the  West  Indian  region 
one  of  the  commonest  genera  of  brittle-stars  is  OpJiiocoma,  of  which 
three  well-marked  species  are  found  there.  Two  of  these  ecTiinata 
and  nisei,  are  very  nearly  related  and  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  the 
latter  finds  in  the  former  its  nearest  ally.  The  differences  between 
the  two  species,  while  neither  conspicuous  nor  of  morphological 
importance,  are  very  constant  and  perfectly  obvious.  Yet  the  two 
species  occur  not  only  on  the  same  reefs  and  shores,  but  under  the 
same  stones,  where  they  mingle  with  each  other,  often  in  considerable 
numbers.  So  far  as  the  records,  supplemented  by  the  examination 
of  large  series  of  specimens,  living  and  preserved,  show,  hybridization 
between  the  two  species  is  unknown,  yet  both  are  wholly  oviparous 
with  external  fertilization.  The  explanation  of  this  curious  situation 
was  discovered  by  Grave  in  1897,a  when  he  found  that  ecJiinata  breeds 
in  late  July  and  in  August  while  riisei  probably  breeds  in  April  and 
May,  as  it  had  entirely  finished  its  breeding  season  before  the  end  of 
June.  We  have  here  then  a  most  striking  case  of  "  physiological 
isolation/'  and  geographical  isolation  is  no  longer  a  factor  with  the 
two  species  concerned. 

To  sum  up  the  evidence  here  presented,  it  seems  fair  to  say  that, 
in  view  of  the  large  number  of  cases  cited  above  where  Jordan's  law 
does  not  seem  to  apply  to  ophiurans,  geographical  isolation  has  been  a 
less  important  factor  in  the  specific  differentiation  of  brittle-stars 
than  some  form  of  physiological  isolation. 

CONCLUSIONS   AS  TO  DISTRIBUTION   OF   OPHIURANS   IN    NORTH   PACIFIC    OCEAN. 

1.  Four  distinct  faunas  combine  to  make  up  the  North  Pacific 
group  of  species  and  these  are  designated  as  the  Honshu,  Bering, 
Oceanic,  and  American.     Of  these  the  Honshu  is  the  largest  and 
most  diversified,  while  the  Oceanic  is  the  most  widely  distributed. 

2.  Six  species,  well  known  from  the  North  Atlantic  and  the  seas 
north  of  Europe,  confirm  the  belief  in  a  circumpolar  fauna. 

3.  The  line  of  division,  on  the  Asiatic  coast,  between  the  Bering 
and  Honshu  faunas,  is  not  at  either  La  Perouse  or  Tsugaru  Strait, 
but  much  farther  south,  at  about  the  thirty-sixth  parallel  of  latitude. 
On  the  Pacific  coast  of  Japan  the  line  is  apparently  determined  by 
the  meeting  of  the  warm  Kuroshino  current  with  the  cold  current 
from  Bering  Sea.     The  Sea  of  Japan  appears  to  have  been  colonized 
by  the  gradual  influx  of  Bering  species  through  the  northern  straits 
and  of  Honshu  species  through  the  straits  of  Korea,  the  two  groups 
meeting  in  the  southern  half  of  the  sea. 

4.  About  four-fifths  of  the  species  are  shallow-water  forms,  only 
forty-one  being  confined  to  water  exceeding  300  fathoms  in  depth. 

a  See  Johns  Hopkins.Umv.  Circ.,  no.  137,  1898,  p.  8. 


NORTH    PACIFIC   OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK.          23 

There  are  only  four  genera  represented  which  can  be  considered  as 
characteristic  of  deep  water. 

5.  The  distribution  of  the  deep-water  species  confirms  the  view 
that  species  with  a  great  bathymetrical  range  tend  to  become  widely 
distributed. 

6.  The  bathymetrical  range  of  the  species  in  the  Oceanic  fauna 
confirms  the  view  that  species  occurring  on  both  sides  of  the  North 
Pacific  have  a  great  bathymetrical  range. 

7.  Although  only  one-sixth  of  the  species  are  deep-water  forms 
and  less  than  one-third  belong  to  the  Bering  and  Oceanic  faunas  com- 
bined,  nearly   two-fifths   of    the    species   are    distinctly   cold-water 
forms,  occurring  only  in  water  under  45°  F. 

8.  Two  groups  of  species  combine  to  form  the  Oceanic  fauna: 

A,  composed  of  hardy  species,  with  great  temperature  ranges, 
to  whom  the  temperature  of  the  water  seems  to  be  relatively 
unimportant,  and 

B,  composed  of  species  to  whom  a  uniformly  low  temperature 
appears  to  be  essential. 

9.  There  seems  to  be  abundant  evidence  that  very  closely  related 
species  of  Ophiurans,  often  the  most  closely  related,  inhabit  the  same 
area  and  that  "  Jordan's  law"  does  not  apply  to  this  class  of  Echino- 
derms. 

10.  There  is  evidence  that  " physiological  isolation"  in  some  form 
has  been  a  more  important  factor  than  geographical  or  bathymetrical 
isolation  in  the  specific  differentiation  of  Ophiurans. 

DESCRIPTIONS  OF  SPECIES. 
Family  OPHIODERMATID^. 

PECTINURAo  ANCHISTA,  new  species.  & 

Disk  14  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  70  mm.  long.  Disk  rather  pentago- 
nal, closely  and  completely  covered  by  a  fine  granulation  (about  80 
grains  to  a  square  millimeter) ,  which  even  conceals  the  radial  shields. 
Upper  arm  plates  tetragonal  and  broadly  in  contact  on  basal  half  of 
arm,  but  on  terminal  half  becoming  triangular  and  finally  well  sepa- 
rated from  each  other;  at  first  they  are  much  wider  than  long,  even 
twice  as  wide,  but  they  ultimately  are  longer  than  wide;  lateral  mar- 
gins, at  first  nearly  parallel,  gradually  diverge  distally,  proximal  mar- 
gin becoming  shorter  and  shorter,  until  at  last  it  is  obliterated.  In- 
terbrachial  spaces  below  covered,  like  disk,  by  a  fine  granulation. 
Genital  slits  moderate,  about  as  long  as  three  arm  joints.  Oral 

a  For  a  revision  of  Pectinura  and  allied  genera  see  Clark,  Bull.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool., 
vol.  52,  1909,  pp.  111-132. 

&  "Arxtarof,  signifying  next  or  nearest,  in  reference  to  its  close  relationship  to  P. 
cylindrica  (Hutton). 


24 


BULLETIN   75,   UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 


shields  about  as  long  as  wide,  or  sometimes  longer,  rather  triangular, 
with  convex  sides.  No  supplementary  oral  shields.  Adoral  plates 
rather  small,  mostly  free  from  granulation.  Oral  plates  completely 
concealed  by  a  coarse  granulation.  Oral  papillae  seven  or  eight  on  a 
side,  outer  ones  truncate,  inner  pointed,  penultimate  decidedly  largest. 
No  pores  between  basal  under  arm  plates.  First  under  arm  plate 
large,  somewhat  pentagonal,  much  wider  than  long;  succeeding  plates 
rather  hexagonal,  with  distal  margin  convex,  at  first  wider  than  long, 
but  soon  becoming  longer  than  wide  and  near  tip  of  arm  more  than 
twice  as  long  as  wide;  distinctly  in  contact  until  near  tip  of  arm. 
Side  arm  plates  moderate,  not  meeting  either  above  or  below,  until 

near  tip  of  arm;  each  plate 
carries  five  to  seven  flat, 
pointed  spines,  of  which 
lowest  is  longest,  but  does 
not  quite  equal  joint.  Ten- 
tacle-scales two,  inner, 
larger,  outer  overlapping 
base  of  lowest  arm  spine. 
Color  (dried  from  alcohol), 
very  variable;  the  type  is 
uniformly  whitish;  another 
is  variegated  with  dusky 
whitish  and  dull  pink  or 
reddish,  the  arms  being  dis- 
tinctly banded ;  a  third  has 
arms  distinctly  banded  and 
lighter  parts  spotted  with 
purplish-red,  but  disk  is 
uniformly  whitish.  Small 
specimens  are  very  light, 

FIG.  1.— PECTINURA  ANCHISTA.    X3.5.    c,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,     but      banding     of     arms     IS 

FROM  BELOW;  C,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE  ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK.  11          i  •     ,  •          , 

Localities. — Albatross  station  3746,  off  Suno  Saki,  Japan,  49  fathoms, 
gray  sand,  pebbles,  2  specimens;  station  4894,  Eastern  Sea,  lat. 
32°  33'  N.;  long.  128°  32'  10"  E.,  95  fathoms,  green  sand,  broken 
shells,  pebbles,  2  specimens;  station  4895,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  33' 
10"  N.;  long.  128°  32'  10"  E.,  95  fathoms,  green  sand,  broken  shells, 
pebbles,  1  specimen;  station  4900,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  28'  50"  N.; 
long.  128°  34'  40"  E.,  139  fathoms,  gray  sand,  broken  shells,  bottom 
temperature  52.9°,  1  specimen;  station  4939,  Kagoshima  Gulf,  lat. 
31°  18'  30"  N.;  long.  130°  42'  E.,  85  fathoms,  1  specimen.  Bathy- 
metrical  range,  49  to  139  fathoms.  Seven  specimens. 

Type.— Cut.  No.  25645,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4900. 


NOKTH    PACIFIC   OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK.          25 

This  species  is  so  near  P.  cylindrica  (Hutton)  that  it  is  not  without 
much  hesitation  I  have  kept  them  separate.  On  comparing  speci- 
mens of  the  two  species  with  each  other  there  are,  however,  certain 
differences  which  seem  to  be  constant  and  which  give  the  two  species 
quite  unlike  facies.  The  color  of  cylindrica,  although  variable,  is 
chiefly  shades  of  gray  and  brown,  with  no  tendency  to  pink  or  purplish- 
red,  the  dominant  shades  in  anchista.  The  arm  spines  of  cylindrica 
are  also  less  flattened  and  are  truncate,  particularly  the  lowest,  rather 
than  pointed.  The  arms  themselves,  moreover,  are  as  a  rule  more 
flattened  in  cylindrica  than  in  anchista  and  more  arm  spines  are  visible 
when  looking  down  on  the  animal  from  above.  Finally,  cylindrica  is 
a  smaller  species,  7  to  9  mm.  across  the  disk,  with  shorter  arms,  only 
three  or  four  times  diameter  of  disk.  Since  cylindrica  has  not  yet 
been  taken  outside  of  the  New  Zealand  region,  it  seems  best  to  me  to 
regard  these  trivial  differences  as  specific,  at  least  for  the  present. 

OPHIARACHNELLA  GORGONIA. 

Ophiarachna  gorgonia  MULLER  and  TROSCHEL,  Sys.  Ast.,  1842,  p.  105. 
Ophiarachnella  gorgonia  CLARK,  Bull.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  vol.  52,  1909,  p.  123. 

Locality. — Japan,  one  specimen. 

As  I  have  elsewhere a  discussed  in  some  detail  the  relationships  of 
this  genus  and  the  synonymy  of  this  species,  I  do  not  need  to  go  over 
the  ground  here.  Suffice  it  to  say  that  this  specimen  from  Japan  is 
a  fine  example  of  Pectinura  stearnsiilves,  agreeing  in  all  particulars 
with  the  figures  and  description  of  that  species,  which  was  based  on 
a  single  large  specimen  from  Japan.  Ives'  type  was  30  mm.  across  the 
disk,  while  the  one  before  me  is  even  larger,  measuring  a  full  33  mm. 
The  examination  of  this  specimen  has  confirmed  my  opinion  that 
stearnsii  can  not  be  distinguished  from  marmorata  Lyman,  of  which 
it  is  doubtless  the  fully  grown  adult.  Nor  can  I  find,  from  the  mate- 
rial I  have  examined,  or  from  the  descriptions  and  figures  which  have 
been  published,  any  satisfactory  characters  by  which  marmorata  is  to 
be  distinguished  from  gorgonia. 

OPHIARACHNELLA  MEGALASPIS,  new  species.& 

Disk  12  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  50  to  55  mm.  long.  Disk  pentag- 
onal, covered  with  a  close,  fine  granulation  (100  to  175  granules  to  the 
square  millimeter);  radial  shields  and  one  or  more  (usually  three) 
small  rounded  plates  distal  to  them,  just  at  the  base  of  the  arm,  bare. 
Radial  shields  very  large  (about  2.5  mm.  long  by  1.5  mm.  wide), 
smooth  and  bare;  distance  between  the  two  shields  of  a  pair  is  less 
than  the  width  of  a  shield  and  much  less  than  the  mterradial  dis- 

aBull.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  vol.  52,  1909,  pp.  121-123. 

bMtfae  (pe-faX-),  signifying  big,  and  daxle,  signifying  shield,  in  reference  to  the  large 
radial  shields. 


26 


BULLETIN    75,    UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 


tance  between  two  pairs.  Arms  rather  stout,  somewhat  flattened. 
Upper  arm  plates  at  first  rounded  hexagonal  and  somewhat  wider 
than  long,  but  soon  becoming  tetragonal  with  distal  side  longer  than 
lateral  and  much  longer  than  proximal,  and  finally  triangular;  in 
contact  with  each  other  except  at  tip  of  arm.  Interbrachial  areas 
covered  with  a  fine  granulation  like  that  of  disk.  Oral  shields  longer 
than  broad,  somewhat  rounded  pentagonal.  Supplementary  oral 
shields  often  present,  roundish;  they  may  be  partly  or  wholly  con- 
cealed by  the  granulation  and  they  are  often  wanting  in  two  or  more 
of  the  interradii ;  one  specimen  has  none ;  the  type  has  three  large  ones 
(see  fig.  2&),  one  small  one,  and  one  minute  one.  Adoral  plates  small, 

at  sides  of  oral  shield,  mostly 
free  from  granulation.  Oral 
plates  completely  covered  by 
a  somewhat  coarser  granula- 
tion than  that  of  disk.  Oral 
papilla?  numerous,  eight  to 
ten  on  a  side;  distal  ones  trun- 
cate, inner  ones  pointed,  pe- 
nultimate distinctly  largest. 
Genital  slits  rather  large,  as 
long  as  three  arm  joints.  No 
pores  between  basal  under 
arm  plates.  First  under  arm 
plate  rather  large,  diamond- 
shaped  or  somewhat  pentag- 
onal, much  wider  than  long; 
succeeding  plates  pentagonal, 
hexagonal,  or  heptagonal, 
with  more  or  less  rounded 
corners,  at  first  wider  than 

FIG.  2.-OPHUKACHNELLA    MEOALASP.S.      X4.      „,    FROM      ^S    »nd    brOadty    ill     COntaCt 

ABOVE;  6,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE  ARM     with  each  other,  but  SOOn  be- 

coming  longer  than  wide,  and 

ultimately  very  long,  narrow,  and  distinctly  separated.  Side  arm 
plates  rather  large,  but  not  meeting  either  below  or  above,  except  at 
very  tip  of  arm ;  each  one  carries  nine  or  ten  short,  little  flattened, 
bluntly-pointed  arm  spines,  of  which  the  lowest  is  a  little  the  longest, 
though  it  does  not  equal  joint.  Tentacle  scales  two,  inner  larger,  outer 
overlapping  base  of  lowest  arm  spine.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  light 
brown  or  gray,  variegated  with  lighter  and  darker  shades  and  with 
arms  more  or  less  distinctly  banded  with  darker;  oral  surf  ace,  whitish. 
Localities. — Albatross  station  3764,  off  Suno  Saki,  Honshu  Island, 
Japan,  44  to  50  fathoms,  fine  gravel,  broken  shells,  2  specimens; 
station  4893,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  33'  N. ;  long.  128°  32'  50"  E.,  95  to 
106  fathoms,  gray  sand,  broken  shells,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature 


NORTH    PACIFIC   OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK.          27 

55.9°,  2  specimens;  station  4894,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  33'  N.;  long. 
128°  32'  10"  E.,  95  fathoms,  gray  sand,  broken  shells,  pebbles,  1 
specimen;  station  4895,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  33'  10"  N.;  long.  128° 
32'  10"  E.,  95  fathoms,  gray  sand,  broken  shells,  pebbles,  2  speci- 
mens. Bathymetrical  range,  44  to  106  fathoms.  Seven  specimens. 

Type.— Cut.  No.  25600,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  3764. 

Although  this  species  is  obviously  related  to  0.  infernalis,  it  differs 
so  markedly  in  two  important  particulars  that  I  have  no  doubt  it  is 
entirely  distinct,  and  there  is  no  other  species  with  which  it  can  be 
confused.  In  the  first  place,  the  granulation  of  the  disk  is  nearly 
twice  as  fine  in  infernalis  as  in  'megalaspis,  there  being  400  to  500 
granules  to  the  square  millimeter  in  the  former.  This  difference  in 
the  size  and  number  of  the  granules  results  in  a  noticeable  differ- 
ence in  the  apparent  smoothness  of  the  disk  in  dry  specimens.  The 
second,  and  much  more  noticeable,  character  in  which  the  two  species 
differ  is  found  in  the  radial  shields;  in  infernalis  they  are  small,  often 
no  larger  than  one  of  the  other  bare  disk  plates,  and  never  larger  than 
an  upper  arm  plate,  while  the  distance  between  the  two  of  a  pair 
greatly  exceeds  the  width  of  the  plate.  The  contrast  between  these 
proportions  and  those  shown  by  megalaspis  is  thus  very  striking. 

OPHIOCONIS  DIASTATA,  new  species." 

Disk  9  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  45  mm.  long.  Disk  covered 
with  a  close  fine  coat  of  granules,  about  130  to  the  square  millimeter 
at  center  of  disk.  Radial  shields  entirely  covered.  Upper  arm  plates 
triangular,  much  wider  than  long,  even  the  basal  ones  scarcely  in  con- 
tact. Interbrachial  spaces  below  finely  granulated  like  the  disk  above. 
Oral  shields  wider  than  long,  with  rounded  sides  and  a  blunt  proxi- 
mal angle.  Adoral  plates  rather  small,  narrowest  proximally,  with 
outer  end  more  or  less  concealed  by  an  extension  of  granulation 
of  interbrachial  space,  and  with  tip  of  inner  end  often  concealed  by  a 
coarser  granulation  which  completely  conceals  the  oral  plates.  Oral 
papillae  four  or  five  on  each  side,  the  outermost  much  the  widest;  an 
infradental  papilla  sometimes  present  but  often  wanting;  teeth,  three 
or  four,  moderately  wide,  rather  blunt.  First  under  arm  plate,  not 
half  as  large  as  second,  narrower  distally;  succeeding  plates  much 
wider  than  long,  more  or  less  pentagonal,  with  a  wide  proximal  angle. 
Side  arm  plates  large,  meeting  above  and  still  more  broadly  below; 
each  carries  four  or  five  flat,  smooth,  hollow,  not  very  acute  arm 
spines;  next  to  uppermost  longest,  somewhat  exceeding  joint.  Ten- 
tacle scale  single,  large,  longer  than  wide,  rounded  or  sometimes 
bluntly  pointed.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  nearly  white. 

a  J^raror,  signifying  separated  in  reference  to  the  widely  separated  under  arm 
plates. 


28 


BULLETIN   75,    UNITED   STATES    NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 


Localities. — Albatross  station  4967,  off  Shio  Misaki  Light,  Japan, 
lat.  33°  25'  10"  N.;  long.  135°  37'  20"  E.,  244  to  253  fathoms,  brown 
mud,  sand,  foraminifera,  bottom  temperature  45.9°,  1  specimen;  sta- 
tion 4968,  off  Shio  Misaki  Light,  Japan,  lat.  33°  24'  50"  N. ;  long.  135° 
38'  40"  E.,  253  fathoms,  dark  gray  sand,  brown  mud,  broken  shells, 
bottom  temperature  45.7°,  2  specimens.  Bathymetrical  range,  244  to 
253  fathoms.  Temperature  range,  45.9°  to  45.7°.  Three  specimens. 
Type.— Cut.  No.  25531,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4967. 
Although  there  is  no  doubt  that  this  species  is  a  true  Ophioconis,  as 
comparison  with  both  miliaria  Lyman  and  antarctica  Lyman  has 
satisfied  me,  it  has  raised  serious  doubt  in  my  mind  as  to  the  relation- 
ships of  the  genus. 
Both  Liitken  and  Ly- 
man regarded  Ophio- 
conis as  allied  to  Pec- 
tinura  and  the  other 
Ophiodermatidae,  but 
I  am  unable  to  find 
even  one  constant 
character  to  distin- 
guish the  genus  from 
Ophiacantha  in  the 
old,  broad  sense.  Un- 
fortunately neither 
of  the  Mediterranean 
species  of  Ophioconis 
is  at  all  common,  and 
I  have  never  seen 
specimens  of  either, 
so  that  I  am  unable 
to  reach  any  definite 
conclusions,  but  I 
shall  not  be  surprised  if  some  of  the  species  now  placed  in  Ophioconis, 
really  belong  in  the  Ophiacanthidae,  while  others  are  perhaps  properly 
placed  in  the  Ophiodermatidse.  The  present  species,  like  miliaria  and 
antarctica,  has  hollow  arm  spines,  certainly  a  very  remarkable  char- 
acter for  one  of  the  Ophiodermatidse.  From  all  other  species  of 
Ophioconis,  diastata  is  distinguished  by  its  few  arm  spines,  widely 
separated  under  arm  plates,  single  tentacle  scale,  and  very  fine  disk 
granulation,  a  combination  of  characters  shown  by  none  of  the  others. 

OPHIOCONIS  PAPILLATA,  new  species.a 

Disk  8  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  43  mm.  long.     Disk  closely 
covered  with  rather  coarse  papilla-like  granules  about  fifty  to  the 


b 


FIG.  3.— OPHIOCONIS  DIASTATA.    X6.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  FKOM  BE- 
LOW; C,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE  ABM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 


a  Papillatus,  signifying  shaped  like  a  bud,  in  reference  to  the  papilla-like  granules 
on  the  disk. 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK. 


29 


square  millimeter;  those  at  center  of  disk  are  longer  and  more  like 
spinelets  than  those  near  margin.  Radial  shields  entirely  concealed. 
Upper  arm  plates  triangular  with  proximal  angle  more  or  less  trun- 
cated, according  to  amount  of  contact  between  them.  Interbrachial 
spaces  below  covered  with  papilla-like  granules,  which  become  spine- 
lets  near  and  around  oral  shields  and  on  oral  plates;  these  spinelets 
are  very  little  larger  than  those  at  center  of  disk  above.  Oral  shields 
ellipsoidal,  wider  than  long.  Adoral  plates  rather  small,  much 
longer  than  wide,  widest  distally,  their  outlines  more  or  less  obscured 
by  spinelets.  Oral  papillae  four  or  five  on  each  side  with  often  an  infra- 
dental  one  in  addition; 
outermost  very  much 
the  widest.  Teeth  four 
or  five,  not  peculiar. 
First  under  arm  plate 
much  smaller  than  sec- 
ond, distinctly  wider 
than  long;  second  and 
succeeding  plates  more 
or  less  pentagonal  with 
a  wide  proximal  angle; 
seventh  and  succeeding 
plates  usually  wider 
than  long  and  widely 
separated  from  each 
other;  those  preceding 
the  seventh  are  often 
longer  than  wide  and 
only  slightly  or  scarcely 
separated  from  each 
other.  Side  arm  plates 
rather  large,  meeting 

slightly  above  and  more     FIG.  4.— OPHIOCONIS  PAPILLATA.    X6.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  b,  FKOM 

or  less  broadly  below; 

each  plate  carries  six  or  seven  long  smooth,  rather  blunt,  hollow 

spines,   the  uppermost  or  next   to   it,  the  longest,  and,  at  base  of 

arm,   equalling   or   exceeding    two    joints.     Tentacle    scale    single, 

very  large,    about    as  wide   as   long.     Color    (dried  from   alcohol), 

very  pale  fawn  or  yellowish-brown;  beneath  and  arm  spines,  nearly 

white. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  2842,  off  Aleutian  Islands,  lat.  54° 
15'  N. ;  long.  166°  3'  W.,  72  fathoms,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  41°, 
ten  specimens;  station  3315,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  2'  40"  N.;  long. 
166°  42'  W.,  277  fathoms,  green  mud,  sand,  bottom  temperature 
38.5°,  1  specimen;  station  3331,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  1'  40"  N.;  long. 


30  BULLETIN   75,    UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

166°  48'  50"  W.,  350  fathoms,  mud,  11  specimens;  station  3480, 
Bering  Sea,  lat.  52°  6'  N. ;  long.  171°  45'  W.,  283  fathoms,  black  sand, 
coral,  rocky,  1  specimen;  station  (?),  1  specimen.  Bathymetrical 
range,  72  to  350  fathoms.  Temperature  range,  41  °  to  38.5°.  Twenty- 
four  specimens. 

Type.— Cat.  No.  25643,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  2842. 

This  species  is  even  more  Op7iiacantha-lik&  than  the  preceding  and 
I  believe  its  natural  relationships  are  with  that  genus.  But  it  is  so 
obviously  congeneric  with  Ophioconis  miliaria  and  antarctica  that 
I  am  obliged  to  place  it  in  Ophioconis,  at  least  for  the  present.  The 
resemblance  to  antarctica  is  particularly  marked  in  a  specimen  which 
has  apparently  at  some  time  lost  its  disk;  the  regenerated  disk,  which 
is  still  incompletely  developed  is  covered  by  coarse  granules,  almost 
exactly  like  those  of  the  disk  of  antarctica.  But  papillata  may  always 
be  distinguished  from  antarctica,  aside  from  the  disk  covering,  by  its 
more  triangular  upper  arm  plates,  the  more  spiniform  granules  of 
the  mouth  angles,  and  the  fewer  arm  spines. 

Family  OPHIOLEPIDID^E. 

OPHIOPLOCUS  IMBRICATUS. 

Ophiolepis  imbricata  MULLER  and  TROSCHEL,  Sys.  Ast.,  1842,  p.  93. 
Ophioplocus  imbricatus  LYMAN,  111.  Cat.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  1865,  p.  69. 

There  is  a  single,  well-preserved  specimen  from  Okinawa,  the 
principal  one  of  the  Riu  Kiu  Islands.  This  appears  to  be  about  the 
northern  limit  of  this  Indo-Pacific  species,  which  is  replaced  to  the 
northward  by  the  following  closely  related  but  quite  distinct  form. 

OPHIOPLOCUS  JAPONICUS,  new  species.o 

Disk  18  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  66  mm.  long.  Disk  closely  cov- 
ered with  small  scales,  largest  in  the  vicinity  of  the  radial  shields; 
primary  plates  scarcely  distinguishable,  but  on  each  interradial  mar- 
gin are  seven  plates  larger  than  the  others,  the  middle  one  being  the 
largest  of  the  seven.  Radial  shields  bare,  but  very  small  and  widely 
separated.  Upper  arm  plates  broken  up  into  a  considerable  number 
of  plates,  of  which  one  at  each  side  and  five  along  the  proximal  border 
of  each  arm  joint  are  the  largest.  Interbrachial  spaces  below  covered 
with  a  close  scaling,  which  is  finest  along  the  genital  slits  and  close  to 
the  oral  shield.  Genital  slits  long,  extending  from  the  oral  shield 
more  than  halfway  to  disk  margin.  Oral  shields  more  or  less  pentag- 
onal, about  as  long  as  wide,  with  all  angles,  except  most  proximal, 
rounded.  Adoral  plates,  meeting  within,  somewhat  wider  at  outer 
than  at  inner  end;  oral  plates  well  marked,  but  smaller  than  adoral. 
Oral  papilla  about  five  on  each  side,  the  penultimate  much  the  widest; 

o  Japonicus  signifying  belonging  to  Japan,  in  reference  to  the  apparently  limited 
geographical  distribution. 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK.          31 

an  infradental  papilla  commonly  present.  Teeth  about  five,  very 
broad,  flat,  and  rounded.  First  under  arm  plate  more  or  less  trian- 
gular, much  smaller  than  second ;  second  and  succeeding  plates  quad- 
rilateral, wider  than  long,  broadly  in  contact.  Side  arm  plates  small, 
low,  each  with  three  short,  thick,  blunt  arm  spines,  of  which  the 
middle  one  about  equals  the  arm  joint;  the  uppermost  is  decidedly 
shorter,  the  lowest  decidedly  longer.  Tentacle  scales,  two -on  prox- 
imal side  of  pore,  and  two,  or  often  only  one,  smaller,  on  distal  side. 
Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  deep  olive-gray;  arms  irregularly  banded 
with  light  and  dark  olive-gray. 

Localities. — Japan,  five  specimens;  Misaki,  Japan,  nine  specimens; 
Enoshima,  Japan,  one  specimen;  Ayukawa,  Japan,  six  specimens. 

Type.— Cat.  No.  25621,  U.S.N.M.,  from  Misaki,  Japan. 


FIG.  5.— OPHIOPLOCUS  JAPONICUS.    X3.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  FROM  BELOW,  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE  ARM 

JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

Although  this  species  is  superficially  much  like  imbricatus,  it  can 
be  at  once  distinguished  from  that  species  by  the  genital  slits  which 
in  imbricatus  are  very  short,  and  never  start  at  the  oral  shield.  In 
this  particular  japonicus  resembles  the  species  from  Southern  Cali- 
fornia (esmarki),  but  it  is  at  once  distinguished  from  that  species  by 
the  arm  spines,  which  in  esmarlci  are  short  and  nearly  equal.  Lyman 
long  ago  a  pointed  out  the  peculiar  genital  slits  of  Japanese  speci- 
mens of  OpTiioplocus. 

OPHIOZONA  ELEVATA,  new  species.^ 

Disk  9  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  27  mm.  long.  Disk  elevated, 
2  mm.  thick,  covered  with  about  100  to  150  flat  plates  or  scales, 
among  which  the  most  conspicuous  are  the  centrodorsal,  two  radial 
in  each  radius,  one  of  which  lies  between  the  ends  of  a  pair  of  large 

a  Bull.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  vol.  3,  1874,  p.  228. 

bElevatus,  signifying  raised  up,  in  reference  to  the  elevated  disk. 


32 


BULLETIN    75,    UNITED   STATES    NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 


radial  shields,  and  three  or  four  interradial  in  each  interradius,  one 
of  which  is  a  very  large  marginal  plate.  Radial  shields  widely  sep- 
arated, oval,  slightly  wider  at  outer  end.  First  two  or  three  upper 
arm  plates  quadrilateral,  much  wider  than  long;  succeeding  plates 
in  contact  with  each  other,  but  with  proximal  side  becoming  shorter 
and  shorter  until  each  plate  is  triangular  and  separated  from  its  fel- 
lows. Interbrachial  spaces  below  covered  with  about  fifteen  plates, 
of  which  a  marginal  one  is  decidedly  the  largest.  Oral  shields  with 
a  proximal  angle,  but  rounded  distally,  about  as  long  as  wide.  Adoral 
plates  wider  at  outer  end,  meeting  within;  oral  plates  small  and 
indefinite.  Oral  papillae,  four  or  five  on  each  side,  the  penultimate 


FIG.  6.— OPHIO'ZONA  ELEVATA.    X6.    o,  FROM   ABOVE;  b,  FROM  BELO<V;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE  ARM 

JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

much  the  largest.  Teeth  about  five;  lowest  much  the  smallest. 
First  under  arm  plate  very  much  wider  than  long,  about  one-fourth  as 
large  as  second,  which  is  somewhat  pentagonal,  with  a  rounded  distal 
angle,  about  as  long  as  wide  or  longer ;  third  to  eighth  plates  about 
as  wide  as  long  or  wider,  imperfectly  pentagonal,  gradually  becoming 
triangular,  more  or  less  in  contact  with  each  other;  succeeding  plates 
triangular,  rather  longer  than  wide,  separated  from  each  other.  Side 
arm  plates  large,  slightly  swollen,  meeting  above  and  below  beyond 
eighth  to  tenth  joints;  each  plate  carries  two  arm  spines,  the  upper 
decidedly  the  longer  and  nearly  as  long  as  a  joint.  Tentacle  scales, 
two,  or  occasionally  three,  quite  small.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol), 
dull  purplish-brown,  irregularly  and  indistinctly  marked  with  darker 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK.          33 

and  lighter ;  arms  with  three  or  four  narrow,  irregular,  cream-colored 
cross-bands ;  lower  surface  of  disk  and  arms,  yellowish-white. 

Locality. — Albatross  station  4893,  off  Goto  Islands,  Japan,  lat. 
32°  32'  N. ;  long.  128°  32'  50"  E.,  95  to  106  fathoms,  gray  sand,  broken 
shells,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  55.9°,  3  specimens. 

Type.—C&t.  No.  25532,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4893. 

Although  this  species  is  very  near  bispinosa  Koshler,  it  appears  to 
be  well  distinguished  from  that  species  by  the  shape  of  the  upper- 
arm  plates  and  the  much  shorter  arm  spines.  Koehler's  figure  also 
indicates  that  the  disk  plates  of  bispinosa  are  more  or  less  convex  or 
swollen,  while  in  elevata  they  are  perfectly  flat,  although  the  disk 
itself  is  decidedly  elevated,  sloping  from  the  central  area  to  the  in- 
terradial  margins. 

OPHIOZONA  LONGISPINA. 

Ophiozona  longispina  H.  L.  CLARK,  Bull.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  vol.  51,  1908,  p.  290. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  3706,  off  Port  Heda,  Japan,  337 
fathoms,  green  volcanic  mud,  50  specimens;  station  3707,  off  Ose 
Zaki,  Japan,  63  to  75  fathoms,  volcanic  sand,  ashes,  gravel,  10  speci- 
mens; station  3708,  off  Ose  Zaki,  Japan,  60  to  70  fathoms,  green  mud, 
volcanic  sand,  ashes,  191  specimens;  station  3713,  off  Ose  Zaki,  Japan, 
45  to  48  fathoms,  volcanic  sand,  shells,  rocks,  4  specimens;  station 
3739,  off  Ose  Zaki,  Japan,  55  to  65  fathoms,  volcanic  sand,  shells, 
rocks,  6  specimens;  station  3740,  off  Ose  Zaki,  Japan,  65  fathoms, 
volcanic  sand,  shells,  pebbles,  5  specimens;  station  4965,  off  eastern 
Japan,  lat.  33°  35'  20"  N.;  long.  135°  10'  50"  E.,  191  fathoms,  dark 
green-gray  sand,  shells,  bottom  temperature,  49.4°,  2  specimens; 
station  5055,  in  Suruga  Gulf,  Japan,  lat.  34°  53'  N. ;  long.  138°  44'  15" 
E.,  124  fathoms,  green  mud,  gray  sand,  broken  shells,  pebbles,  bot- 
tom temperature  56.6°,  1  specimen;  station  5095,  in  Uraga  Strait, 
lat.  35°  5'  34"  W. ;  long.  139°  38'  36"  E.,  58  fathoms,  fine  black  sand, 
broken  shells,  bottom  temperature  57.8°,  3  specimens.  Bathymet- 
rical  range,  45  to  337  fathoms.  Temperature  range,  57.8°  to  49.4°. 
Two  hundred  and  seventy-two  specimens. 

The  largest  of  these  specimens  has  the  disk  14  mm.  in  diameter 
and  the  arms  over  40  mm.  long.  The  disk  is  covered  by  about  three 
hundred  plates,  but  two-thirds  of  these  are  mere  scales  intercalated 
between  the  regular  plates.  The  first  fifteen  upper  arm  plates  are 
in  contact  and  several  of  the  basal  ones  are  pentagonal  or  tetragonal, 
and  wider  than  long.  Interbrachial  spaces  below  are  covered  by 
forty  to  fifty  plates.  Under  arm  plates  in  contact  out  to  about  the 
fifteenth  joint.  Oral  papilla,  oral  shields,  arm  spines,  tentacle  scales 
and  color  as  in  the  'original  specimens.  The  specimen  from  station 
5055  is  peculiar  in  having  much  narrower  arms  than  specimens  of 
its  own  size  from  station  3708. 
34916°— Bull.  76—11 3 


34  BULLETIN    75,    UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

OPHIOZONA  PLATYDISCA,  new  species.o 

Disk  12  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  40  mm.  long.  Disk  very 
flat  and  thin,  covered  by  about  two  hundred  scales  among  which  the 
centro-dorsal,  the  five  primary  radial,  and  the  radial  shields  are 
conspicuous,  while  other  large  plates  occur  between  the  proximal 
ends  of  the  radial  shields  and  in  the  interradii;  but  there  is  no  con- 
spicuous marginal  plate  in  each  interradius.  The  upper  arm  plates, 
the  covering  of  the  jaws,  the  oral  shields,  the  oral  papillae,  the  under 
arm  plates,  the  side  arm  plates  and  arm  spines,  and  the  tentacle 
scales  are  like  those  of  elevata,  Interbrachial  spaces  below  covered 
with  about  thirty  plates,  no  one  of  which  is  conspicuously  larger  than 
the  others.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol) ,  dull,  light  purple,  variegated 


FIG.  7.—  OPHIOZONA  PLATYDISCA.    X4. 


a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  PKOM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE  ARM 

JOINTS  NEAR  DISK- 


with  whitish;  arms  with  four  narrow,  irregular,  whitish  cross-bands; 
lower  surface  of  disk  and  arms,  whitish. 

Locality.—  Albatross  station  4965,  off  Hiro  Misaki  Light,  Japan, 
lat.  33°  35'  20"  N.;  long.  135°  10'  50"  E.,  191  fathoms,  dark  green- 
gray  sand,  shells,  bottom  temperature  49.4°,  3  specimens. 

Type.—C&t.  No.  25717,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4965. 

It  seems  quite  possible  that  this  is  the  adult  form  of  elevata,  but 
the  differences  in  the  form  and  scaling  of  the  disk  have  induced  me 
to  keep  them  separate  for  the  present.  The  absence  of  a  large 
marginal  plate  in  each  interradius,  above  and  below,  distinguishes 
platydisca,  but  this  may  be  the  result  of  its  considerably  larger  size. 
From  bispinosa  this  species  is  at  once  distinguished  by  its  upper 
arm  plates  and  shorter  arm  spines. 

signifying  flat,  and  8  canoe  signifying  disk,  in  reference  to  the  flat,  thin, 


disk. 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK.          35 

OPHIOZONA  POLYPLAX,  new  species." 

Disk,  17  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  53  mm.  long.  Disk  flattened, 
covered  with  a  close  coat  of  three  hundred  (or  more)  scales,  among 
which  the  centro-dorsal  and  five  radial  can  be  easily  distinguished, 
though  they  are  not  conspicuous.  Radial  shields  rather  large  and 
widely  separated.  Upper  arm  plates  more  or  less  triangular,  those 
at  base  of  arm  becoming  tetragonal  by  truncation  of  proximal  angle; 
first  two  or  three  much  wider  than  long;  only  the  basal  four  or  five 
in  contact.  Interbrachial  spaces  below  covered  with  about  thirty 
plates.  Oral  shields  pentagonal  with  sharp  proximal  angle  and 
rounded  distal  angles.  Adoral  plates  large,  wider  without  than 
within,  where  they  meet;  oral  plates  small.  Oral  papillae  about  five 
on  each  side,  the  penultimate  largest.  First  under  arm  plate  very 
small,  triangular  or  diamond  shaped,  much  wider  than  long;  second, 


C 

FIG.  8.—  OPHIOZONA  POLYPLAX.    x  3.  a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO  AND  A 

HALF  ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

third,  and  fourth  plates  tetragonal,  becoming  hexagonal,  longer  than 
wide;  succeeding  plates  hexagonal  with  rounded  distal  angles,  be- 
coming pentagonal,  wider  than  long,  until  outer  part  of  arm  is  reached 
where  they  are  widely  separated  and  are  longer  than  wide>  Side 
arm  plates  large  but  little  swollen,  meeting  above  beyond  the  third 
or  fourth  joint  and  below  beyond  the  seventh  or  eighth;  each  plate 
carries  two  thick,  blunt  spines  of  which  the  upper  is  the  longer, 
but  is  distinctly  shorter  than  a  joint.  Tentacle  scale  single,  moder- 
ately large.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol)  ,  nearly  uniformly  white,  the 
disk  strongly  tinged  with  gray  above. 

Localities.  —  Albatross  station  4957,  off  southeastern  Japan,  437 
fathoms,  green-brown  mud,  fine  gray  sand,  foraminifera,  bottom 
temperature  39.8°,  1  specimen;  station  4969,  off  Shio  Misaki  Light> 
Japan,  lat.  33°  23'  40"  N.  ;  long.  135°  33'  E.,  587  fathoms,  brown  mud, 


signifying  many  and  nXa.£  signifying  anything  fiat  and  broad,  a  plate,  in 
reference  to  the  numerous  disk  plates. 


36  BULLETIN    75,   UNITED   STATES  NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

sand,  stones;  bottom  temperature  38. 9°,  1  specimen;  station  4972, 
off  Shio  Misaki  Light,  Japan,  lat.  33°  25'  45"  N.;  long.  135°  33'  E., 
440  fathoms,  brown-green  mud,  foraminifera,  bottom  temperature 
38.1°,  24  specimens.  Bathymetrical  range,  437  to  587  fathoms. 
Temperature  range,  39.8°  to  38.1°.  Twenty-six  specimens. 

Type.— Cat.  No.  25624,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4969. 

This  species  is  obviously  near  both  alba  Liitken  and  Mortensen  and 
longispina  H.  L.  Clark.  It  is  easily  distinguished  from  alba  by  the 
scaling  of  the  disk  and  the  much  larger  (relatively)  radial  shields; 
there  are  also  slight  differences  in  the  side  arm  plates,  the  oral  shields, 
and  the  arm  spines,  so  that  the  two  species  look  unlike.  From 
longispina,  the  upper  arm  plates,  side  arm  plates,  and  arm  spines  are 
quite  sufficient  to  distinguish  it,  the  general  facies  of  the  two  species 
being  quite  different. 

OPHIOZONA  PROJECTA. 

Ophiozona  projecta  KCEHLER,  Siboga  Litt.  Oph.,  1905,  pt.  2,  p.  19. 

Locality. — Albatross  station  4893,  off  Goto  Islands,  Japan,  lat.  32° 
32'  N.;  long.  128°  32'  50"  E.,  95  to  106  fathoms,  gray  sand,  broken 
shells,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  55.9°,  1  specimen. 

Although  this  specimen  is  much  larger  than  Koehler's  type 
(diameter  of  disk,  7  mm.  as  against  4)  and  has  much  longer  arms 
(35  mm.  as  against  20),  I  find  no  valid  characters  by  which  it  can  be 
separated  from  the  East  Indian  species.  The  basal  arm-joints  have 
three  spines  instead  of  two,  but  this  might  be  expected  in  view  of  the 
larger  size  of  the  specimen.  Krehler  does  not  mention  the  color  of 
his  specimens,  but  this  Japanese  one  is  dull  reddish-purple,  indis- 
tinctly variegated  above  with  darker  and  lighter,  and  uniformly 
lighter  below. 

Genus  OPHIURA. 

While  it  is  to  be  regretted  that  a  name  which  has  been  so  widely 
used  as  Ophioglyplia  must  be  abandoned,  there  seems  to  be  no 
escape  from  Bell's  a  reasoning,  which  shows  clearly  that  Ophioglyplia 
Lyman  is  a  pure  synonym  of  Ophiura  as  limited  by  Agassiz  and  then 
by  Forbes.  Consequently  the  name  Ophiura  is  used  in  this  report 
for  the  group  of  ophiurans  widely  known  as  Ophioglyplia.  With  the 
possible  exception  of  Ophioihrix,  no  genus  in  the  whole  class  is  so 
greatly  in  need  of  revision  as  is  this  one.  Indeed  Ophiothrix  is  a  far 
more  homogeneous  group  than  Ophiura,  for  there  are  several  very 
different  generic  types  now  included  in  this  genus,  of  which  over  one 
hundred  species  are  known.  I  regret  to  be  obliged  to  add  so  con- 
siderably to  this  already  unwieldy  number,  but  I  hope  that  the 
figures  and  descriptions  here  given  will  make  the  ultimate  revision 

«  Ann.  Mag.  Nat.  Hist.  (6),  vol.  8,  1891,  p.  339. 


NORTH   PACIFIC    OPHIUBANS   IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM — CLARK.          37 

of  the  genus  less,  rather  than  more,  difficult.     In  the  arrangement , 
of  the  species  I  have  followed  the  "Key"  in  Lyman's   Challenger 
report,  interpolating  the  new  species,  so  far  as  possible,  among  their 
natural  allies. 

OPHIURA  KINBERGI. 

Ophioglypha  Icinbergi  LJUNGMAN,  Ofv.  Kong.  Akad.,  1866,  p.  166. 
Ophioglypha  sinensis  LYMAN,  111.  Cat.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  vol.  6,  1871,  p.  12. 
Ophiura  Jcinbergi  MEISSNER,  Bronn's  Thierreichs,  vol.  2,  pt.  3,  1901,  p.  925. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  3725,  off  Noma  Saki,  Japan,  13  fath- 
oms, sand,  shells,  gravel,  3  specimens;  station  3726,  off  Japan,  26 
fathoms,  gray  volcanic  sand,  6  specimens;  station  4815,  sea  of  Japan, 
lat.  38°  16'  N. ;  long.  138°  52'  E.,  70  fathoms,  dark  green  sand,  bottom 
temperature  51°,  2  specimens;  station  4885,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  31' 
30"  N.;  long.  129°  30'  15"  E.,  53  fathoms,  dark  gray  sand,  broken 
shells,  2  specimens.  Bathymetrical  range,  13  to  70  fathoms.  Thir- 
teen specimens. 

I  can  but  agree  with  Kcehlera  in  regarding 
sinensis  as  a  synonym  of  Jcinbergi.  The  Albatross 
specimens  have  been  compared  with  Lyman's 
type  of  sinensis  and  are  unquestionably  identical ; 
other  specimens  from  Australia  (including  what 
seems  to  be  a  cotype  of  Icinbergi},  Japan,  Hong- 
kong, the  Philippines,  and  Calcutta  have  also 
been  available  for  comparison.  Australian  speci- 
mens have  the  oral  shields  relatively  larger  than  FlG.9._OpHiuRA  KINBERGI. 
specimens  from  Japan,  but  the  specimens  from  x  5.  SHOWING  DISK  SCAL- 
the  Philippines  are  intermediate  and  I  do  not 
think  the  character  warrants  keeping  sinensis  and  Icinbergi  separate. 

As  the  arm  comb  of  this  species  has  never  been  figured,  it  has 
seemed  desirable  to  figure  it  herewith  (fig.  9) ,  as  it  is  this  character 
which  specially  distinguishes  Icinbergi  from  the  two  following  species. 

OPHIURA  SARSII. 

Ophiura  sarsii  LUTKEN,  Vid.  Medd.  for  1854,  1855,  p.  101. 

Localities.— Albatross  station  2841,  off  Alaska,  lat.  54°  18'  N.; 
long.  165°  55'  W.,  56  fathoms,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  41°, 
192  specimens;  station  2842,  off  Alaska,  lat.  54°  15'  N.;  long.  166°  3' 
W.,  72  fathoms,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  41°,  37  specimens; 
station  2843,  off  Alaska,  lat.  53°  56'  N.;  long.  165°  56'  W.,  45 
fathoms,  broken  shells,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  43.5°,  3  speci- 
mens; station  2844,  off  Alaska,  lat.  53°  56'  N.;  long.  165°  40'  W., 
54  fathoms,  gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  42°,  63  specimens; 
station  2845,  off  Alaska,  lat.  54°  5'  N.;  long.  164°  9'  W.,  42 

aSiboga  Litt.  Oph.,  1905,  p.  22. 


38  BULLETIN   75,    UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

fathoms,  coarse  black  sand,  bottom  temperature  42°,  22  speci- 
mens; station  2847,  off  Alaska,  lat.  55°  1'  N.;  long.  160°  12'  W., 
48  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  42°,  3  specimens; 
station  2848,  off  Alaska,  lat.  55°  10'  N.;  long.  160°  18'  W.,  110 
fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  41°,  7  specimens;  station 
2851,  off  Alaska,  lat.  54°  55'  N.;  long.  159°  52'  W.,  35  fathoms,  gray 
sand,  broken  shells,  bottom  temperature  44.8°,  167  specimens;  sta- 
tion 2856,  off  Alaska,  lat.  58°  7'  N.;  long.  151°  36'  W.,  68  fathoms, 
gray  sand  with  black  specks,  bottom  temperature  44°,  25  specimens; 
station  2858,  off  Alaska,  lat.  58°  17'  N.;  long.  148°  36'  W.,  230 
fathoms,  blue  mud,  gravel,  bottom  temperature  39.8°,  104  specimens; 
station  2862,  off  British  Columbia,  lat.  50°  49'  N.;  long.  127°  36'  30" 
W.,  238  fathoms,  gray  sand,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  44.7°, 
40  specimens;  station  2863,  off  Washington,  lat.  48°  58'  N.;  long. 
123°  10'  W.,  67  fathoms,  fine  sand,  broken  shells,  bottom  temperature 
48.5°,  1,765  specimens;  station  2866,  off  Washington,  lat.  48°  9'  N.; 
long.  125°  3'  W.,  171  fathoms,  gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  43.2°, 
488  specimens;  station  2867,  off  Washington,  lat.  48°  7'  N.;  long. 
124°  55'  W.,  37  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  6  specimens;  station  2876, 
off  Washington,  lat.  48°  33'  N.;  long.  124°  53'  W.,  59  fathoms,  black 
sand,  mud,  bottom  temperature  45.5°,  33  specimens;  station  2877, 
off  Washington,  lat.  48°  33'  N.;  long.  124°  53'  W.,  59  fathoms,  black 
sand,  mud,  bottom  temperature  45.5°,  18  specimens;  station  2882, 
off  Oregon,  lat.  46°  9'  N.;  long.  124°  22'  30"  W.,  68  fathoms,  gray 
sand,  bottom  temperature  45. 8?,  71  specimens;  station  2883,  off 
Oregon,  lat.  45°  56'  N.;  long.  124°  1'  30"  W.,  29  fathoms,  fine  gray 
sand,  bottom  temperature  50.1°,  3  specimens;  station  2890,  off 
Oregon,  lat.  43°  46'  N.;  long.  124°  57'  W.,  277  fathoms,  gray 
sand,  bottom  temperature  42.2°,  209  specimens;  station  3047,  off 
Oregon,  lat.  46°  47'  N.;  long.  124°  30'  15"  W.,  50  fathoms,  fine 
gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  45.9°,  3  specimens;  station  3053, 
off  Oregon,  lat.  44°  4'  30"  N.;  long.  124°  50'  W.,  64  fathoms,  coral, 
broken  shells,  rocky,  bottom  temperature  47.3°,  4  specimens;  station 
3059,  off  Oregon,  lat.  44°  56'  N.;  long.  124°  12'  30"  W.,  77  fathoms, 
mud,  bottom  temperature  45.1°,  5  specimens;  station  3077,  off  Alaska, 
lat.  55°  46'  N.;  long.  132°  24'  W.,  322  fathoms,  green  mud,  gravel, 
bottom  temperature  42.4°,  29  specimens;  station  3112,  off  California, 
lat.  37°  8'  N.;  long.  122°  47'  W.,  296  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  bottom 
temperature  41.8°,  1  specimen;  station  3218,  off  Alaska,  lat.  54° 
15'  40"  N.";  long.  164°  21'  W.,  41  fathoms,  black  sand,  bottom  tem- 
perature 37.7°,  35  specimens;  station  3219,  off  Alaska,  lat.  54°  14'  N.; 
long.  164°  35'  W.,  59  fathoms,  black  sand,  gravel,  bottom  temperature 
38°,  8  specimens;  station  3222,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  20'  N.;  long. 
165°  30'  W.,  50  fathoms,  black  sand,  pebbles,  shells,  bottom  tem- 
perature 39.7°,  104  specimens;  station  3223,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54° 


NORTH   PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK.          39 

26'  15"  N.;  long.  165°  32'  W.,  56  fathoms,  black  pebbles,  bottom 
temperature  39°,  50  specimens;  station  3224,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54° 
42'  50"  N.;  long.  165°  37'  W.,  121  fathoms,  black  sand,  gravel, 
bottom  temperature  38.7°,  50  specimens;  station  3252,  Bering  Sea, 
lat.  57°'  22'  20"  N.;  long.  164°  24'  40"  W.,  29£  fathoms,  black  mud, 
bottom  temperature  44.8°,  165  specimens;  station  3253,  Bering  Sea, 
lat.  57°  5'  50"  N.;  long.  164°  27'  15"  W.,  36  fathoms,  mud,  sand, 
bottom  temperature  35°,  122  specimens;  station  3254,  Bering  Sea, 
lat.  56°  50'  N.;  long.  164°  27'  50"  W.,  46  fathoms,  green  mud,  sand, 
bottom  temperature  36.2°,  445  specimens;  station  3255,  Bering  Sea, 
lat.  56°  33'  30"  N.;  long.  164°  31'  40"  W.,  43  fathoms,  green  mud, 
sand,  bottom  temperature  37°,  5,743  specimens;  station  3256,  Bering 
Sea,  lat.  56°  18'  N.;  long.  164°  34'  10"  W.,  49  fathoms,  green  mud, 
black  specks,  bottom  temperature  35°,  253  specimens;  station  3257, 
Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  49'  N.;  long.  165°  32'  W.,  81  fathoms,  gray  sand, 
gravel,  bottom  temperature  39°,  79  specimens;  station  3258,  Bering 
Sea,  lat.  54°  48'  N.;  long.  165°  13'  30"  W.,  70  fathoms,  black  sand, 
gravel,  bottom  temperature  39°,  56  specimens;  station  3260,  Bering 
Sea,  lat.  54°  36'  15"  N.;  long.  164°  52'  W.,  13  fathoms,  fine  black 
sand,  bottom  temperature  42°,  8  specimens;  station  3279,  Bering 
Sea,  lat.  56°  25'  40"  N.;  long.  162°  39'  15"  W.,  41  fathoms,  fine  gray 
sand,  bottom  temperature  37°,  177  specimens;  station  3280,  Bering 
Sea?  lat.  56°  27'  N.;  long.  162°  8'  W.,  36  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand, 
bottom  temperature  41°,  96  specimens;  station  3309,  Bering  Sea,  lat. 
56°  56'  N. ;  long.  172°  55'  W.,  71  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  tempera- 
ture 37.9°,  750  specimens;  station  3311,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  53°  59'  36" 
N.;  long.  166°  29'  43"  W.,  85  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  tempera- 
ture 41°,  7  specimens;  station  33 12, Bering  Sea, lat.  53°  59'  ll"N.;long. 
166°  25'  9"  W.,  45  fathoms,  fine  sand,  mud,  bottom  temperature  43°, 
1  specimen;  station  3313,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  1'  51"  N.;  long.  166° 
27'  38"  W.,  68  fathoms,  fine  black  sand,  bottom  temperature  42.7°, 
52  specimens;  station  3314,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  2'  24"  N.;  long.  166° 
32'  47"  W.,  74  fathoms,  black  sand,  bottom  temperature  42.5°,  16 
specimens;  station  3315,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  2'  40"  N.;  long.  166° 
42'  W.,  277  fathoms,  green  mud,  sand,  bottom  temperature  38.5°, 
1  specimen;  station  .3318,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  53°  47'  40"  N.;  long  .167° 
14'  W.,  61  fathoms,  black  sand,  gravel,  shells,  bottom  temperature 
42°,  21  specimens;  station  3322,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  53°  28'  45"  N.; 
long.  167°  23'  50"  W.,  35  fathoms,  black  sand,  bottom  temperature 
42.4°,  4  specimens;  station  3339,  off  Alaska,  lat.  54°  46'  N.;  long. 
157°  43'  30"  W.,  138  fathoms,  mud,  gravel,  bottom  temperature 
37.4°,  3  specimens;  station  3340,  off  Alaska,  lat.  55°  26'  N. ;  long.  155° 
26'  W.,  695  fathoms,  mud,  bottom  temperature  36.8°,  3  specimens; 
station  3439,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  57°  6'  N. ;  long.  170°  35'  W.,  41  fathoms, 
fine  black  sand,  bottom  temperature  44°,  418  specimens;  station 


40  BULLETIN   75,    UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 

3440,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  57°  5'  N.;  long.  170°  41'  W.,  48  fathoms,  black 
mud,  shells,  bottom  temperature  ?,  901  specimens;  station  3441, 
Bering  Sea,  lat.  57°  4'  20"  N.;  long.  170°  52'  30"  W.,  51  fathoms, 
black  mud,  shells,  bottom  temperature  39°,  319  specimens;  sta- 
tion 3442,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  57°  10'  N.;  long.  170°  47'  15"  W.,  47 
fathoms,  blue  mud,  shells,  bottom  temperature  40°,  59  specimens; 
station  3443,  off  Washington,  lat.  48°  13'  30"  N.;  long.  123°  11'  20" 
W.,  97  fathoms,  green  mud,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  46°,  1  speci- 
men; station  3449,  off  Washington,  lat.  48°  29'  40"  K;  long.  124°  40' 
10"  W.,  135  fathoms,  gray  sand,  gravel,  121  specimens;  station  3450,  off 
Washington,  lat.  48°  26'  50"  N.;  long.  124°  39'  35"  W.,  151  fathoms, 
gravel,  bottom  temperature  44°,  21  specimens;  station  3452,  off 
Washington,  lat.  48°  24'  40"  N.;  long.  124°  29'  10"  W.,  125  fathoms, 
rocky,  black  gravel,  bottom  temperature  44.5°,  7  specimens;  station 
3453,  off  Washington,  lat.  48°  20'  N.;  long.  124°  13'  40"  W.,  120 
fathoms,  gray  sand,  black  specks,  bottom  temperature  44.4°,  102 
specimens;  station  3454,  off  Washington,  lat.  48°  27'  50"  N.;  long. 
124°  42'  40"  W.,  152  fathoms,  gray  sand,  rocky,  bottom  temperature 
44.2°,  3  specimens;  station  3456,  off  Washington,  lat.  48°  31'  15"  N.; 
long.  124°  43'  15"  W.,  136  fathoms,  gray  sand,  bottom  temperature 
44.2°,  21  specimens;  station  3457,  off  Washington,  lat.  48°  28'  20"  N.; 
long.  124°  52'  5"  W.,  142  fathoms,  gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  44.2°, 
90  specimens;  station  3459,  off  Washington,  lat.  48°  24'  20"  N.;  long. 
124°  24'  40"  W.,  123  fathoms,  gray  sand,  pebbles,  bottom  tempera- 
ture 44.5°,  21  specimens;  station  3482,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  57°  18'  N.; 
long.  170°  42'  W.,  42  fathoms,  green  mud,  fine  sand,  bottom  tem- 
perature 38.9°,  491  specimens;  station  3483,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  57°  18' 
N.;  long.  171°  18'  W.,  56  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature 
36.8°,  5  specimens;  station  3485,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  57°  18'  N.;  long. 
172°  34'  W.,  62  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  37.1°,  18 
specimens;  station  3486,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  57°  19'  N.;  long.  173°  53' 
W.,  150  fathoms,  green  mud,  fine  sand,  bottom  temperature  38°,  6 
specimens;  station  3487,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  57°  10'  N.;  long.  173°  45' 
W.,  81  fathoms,  green  mud,  fine  sand,  bottom  temperature  37.6°, 
30  specimens;  station  3490,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  56°  47'  N.;  long.  173° 
14'  W.,  78  fathoms,  green  mud,  fine  sand,  bottom  temperature  38°, 
8  specimens;  station  3491,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  56°  32'  N.;  long.  172°  28' 
W.,  103  fathoms,  green  mud,  fine  gray  sand,  bottom  temperature?, 
14  specimens;  station  3492,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  56°  32'  N.;  long.  171° 
50'  W.,  70  fathoms,  green  mud,  fine  sand,  bottom  temperature  37.8°, 
5  specimens;  station  3495,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  56°  37'  N.;  long.  170°  1' 
W.,-56  fathoms,  green  mud,  fine  sand,  bottom  temperature  38.5°, 
5  specimens;  station  3504,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  56°  57'  N.;  long.  169°  27' 
W.,  34  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  black  specks,  bottom  temperature 
37.8°,  95  specimens;  station  3505,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  57°  9'  N.;  long. 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK.          41 

168°  17'  W.,  44  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  38.1°, 
234  specimens;  station  3511,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  57°  32'  N.;  long.  169° 
38'  W.,  39  fathoms,  fine  sand,  dark  mud,  bottom  temperature  37.2°,  2 
specimens;  station  3513,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  58°  27'  N.;  long.  169°  1'  W.; 
35  fathoms,  fine  sand,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  ?,  32  specimens; 
station  3520,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  59°  28'  N.;  long.  170°  57'  W.,  38  fath- 
oms, green  mud,  fine  sand,  bottom  temperature  32.2°,  1  specimen; 
station  3521,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  59°  9'  N.;  long.  170°  48'  W.,  40  fathoms, 
green  mud,  fine  sand,  bottom  temperature  31.9°,  310  specimens;  sta- 
tion 3522,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  57°  58'  N.;  long.  170°  9'  W.,  41  fathoms, 
coarse  gray  sand,  gravel,  bottom  temperature  35.7°,  21  specimens; 
station  3523,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  57°  39'  N.;  long.  170°  2'  W.,  39  fathoms, 
green  mud,  fine  sand,  bottom  temperature  38°,  30  specimens;  station 
3527,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  57°  48'  N.;  long.  171°  21'  W.,  52  fathoms,  green 
mud,  bottom  temperature  38°,  18  specimens;  station  3528,  Bering 
Sea,  lat.  58°  19'  30"  N.;  long.  172°  2'  W.,  55  fathoms,  dark  green 
mud,  fine  sand,  bottom  temperature  35.9°,  90  specimens;  station 
3529,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  58°  36'  N.;  long.  172°  24'  W.,  56  fathoms,  green 
mud,  bottom  temperature  36.1°,  237  specimens;  station  3530,  Bering 
Sea,  lat.  59°  39'  N.;  long.  173°  53'  W.,  59  fathoms,  dark  green  mud, 
fine  sand,  bottom  temperature  34.9°,  127  specimens;  station  3531, 
Bering  Sea,  lat.  59°  55'  N.;  long.  174°  17'  W.,  59  fathoms,  green  mud, 
bottom  temperature  35.1°,  70  specimens;  station  3535,  Bering  Sea, 
lat.  57°  2'  N.;  long.  170°  46'  W.,  52  fathoms,  green  mud,  fine  sand, 
bottom  temperature  39°,  6  specimens;  station  3536,  Bering  Sea,  lat. 
57°  5'  N. ;  long.  170°  35'  W.,  40  fathoms,  green  mud,  fine  sand,  bottom 
temperature  42.4°,  110  specimens;  station  3540,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  56° 
27'  N. ;  long.  166°  8'  W.,  51  fathoms,  green  mud,  fine  sand,  bottom 
temperature  36°,  46  specimens;  station  3541,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  56°  14' 
N.;  long.  164°  8'  W.,  49  fathoms,  black  mud,  fine  sand,  bottom  tem- 
perature 36.1°,  55  specimens;  station  3542,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  56°  10' 
N.;  long.  163°  26'  W.,  49  fathoms,  dark  mud,  fine  sand,  bottom 
temperature  39.2°,  50  specimens;  station  3543,  Bering- Sea,  lat.  54° 
41'  N.;  long.  169°  39'  W.,  43  fathoms,  black  sand,  shells,  bottom  tem- 
perature 42.7°,  3  specimens;  station  3546,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  12' 
N.;  long.  165°  42'  W.,  36  fathoms,  gravel,  black  sand,  bottom  tem- 
perature 45.6°,  78  specimens;'  station  3547,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  16' 
N. ;  long.  165°  45'  Wv  51  fathoms,  fine  black  sand,  bottom  tempera- 
ture 45°,  29  specimens;  station  3553,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  56°  28'  N.;  long. 
169°  46'  W.,  51  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  mud,  bottom  temperature 
39.5°,  25  specimens;  station  3554,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  56°  34'  N.;  long. 
170°  19'  W.,  62  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  39.5°,  12 
specimens;  station  3556,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  56°  57'  30"  N.;  long.  170° 
33'  W.,  49  fathoms,  green  mud,  fine  sand,  bottom  temperature  41°, 
5  specimens;  station  3560,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  56°  40'  N.;  long.  169°  20' 


42  BULLETIN    75,    UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

W.,  43  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  black  specks,  bottom  temperature 
40.7°,  36  specimens;  station  3561,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  56°  31'  N.;  long. 
169°  17'  W.,  48  fathoms,  gray  sand,  black  specks,  bottom  temperature 
40.7°,  28  specimens;  station  3594,  off  Washington,  lat.  48°  12'  N.; 
long.  122°  50'  W.,  36  fathoms,  sand,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature 
46°,  7  specimens;  station  3602,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  56°  32'  N.;  long.  172° 
40'  W.,  81  fathoms,  green  mud,  sand,  bottom  temperature  37.1°,  50 
specimens;  station  3609,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  55°  35'  N.;  long.  168°  20' 
W.,  74  fathoms,  green  mud,  sand,  bottom  temperature  37.9°,  165 
specimens;  station  3610,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  55°  58'  N.;  long.  167°  16' 
W.,  75  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  36.8°,  381  speci- 
mens; station  3611,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  56°  45'  N.;  long.  167°  25'  W., 
50  fathoms,  green  mud,  sand,  bottom  temperature  34.6°,  408  speci- 
mens; station  3658,  Hakodate  Bay,  Japan,  22  fathoms,  fine  gray 
sand,  3  specimens;  station  3659,  Hakodate  Bay,  Japan,  15.5  fathoms, 
fine  gray  sand,  1  specimen;  station  3673,  off  Washington,  lat.  48° 
21'  45"  N.;  long.  124°  50'  30"  W.,  77  fathoms,  green  mud,  sand,  10 
specimens;  station  3675,  locality  unknown  (the  station  is  missing 
from  the  record),  10  specimens;  station  3769,  off  Nagane  Saki,  Japan, 
40-42  fathoms,  green  mud,  sand,  12  specimens;  station  3775,  off 
Kinkwasan  Light,  Honshu  Island,  Japan,  57  fathoms,  green  mud, 
sand,  1  specimen;  station  3789,  off  Washington,  lat.  48°  21'  45"  N.; 
long.  124°  52'  30"  W.,  115  fathoms,  coarse  gray  sand,  gravel,  123 
specimens;  station  4770,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  31'  N.;  long.  179°  15' 
E.,  247  fathoms,  14  specimens;  station  4784,  off  Aleutian  Islands, 
lat.  52°  55'  40"  N.;  long.  173°  26'  E.,  135  fathoms,  coarse  pebbles, 
1  specimen;  station  4786,  off  Aleutian  Islands,  lat.  54°  51'  30"  N. ; 
long.  167°  14'  E.,  54  fathoms,  green  sand,  7  specimens;  station  4788, 
near  Copper  Island,  lat.  54°  50'  24"  N.;  long.  167°  13'  E.,  56-57 
fathoms,  green  sand,  13  specimens;  station  4789,  near  Copper  Island, 
lat.  54°  49'  45"  N.;  long.  167°  12'  30"  E.,  56  fathoms,  green  sand,  44 
specimens;  station  4790,  off  Bering  Island,  lat.  54°  38'  45"  N.;  long. 
167°  11'  45"  E.,  64  fathoms,  pebbles,  4  specimens;  station  4791,  off 
Bering  Island,  lat.  54°  36'  15"  N.;  long.  166°  58'  15"  E.,  72-76 
fathoms,  rocky,  30  specimens;  station  4792,  off  Bering  Island,  lat. 
54°  36'  15"  N.;  long.  166°  57'  15"  E.,  72  fathoms,  pebbles,  147 
specimens;  station  4807,  off  Cape  Tsiuka,  Japan,  lat.  41°  36'  12" 
N.;  long.  140°  36'  E.,  44-47  fathoms,  shells,  coarse  gravel,  5  speci- 
mens; station  4822,  off  No  Saki.  Japan,  lat.  37°  8'  10"  N.;  long.  137° 
8'  E.,  130  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  39.4°,  4  speci- 
mens; station  4826,  off  Sudzu,  Misaki  Light,  Japan,  lat.  37°  25'  N.; 
long.  137°  32'  E.,  114  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  black  specks,  bottom 
temperature,  42.5°,  10  specimens;  station  4828,  off  Hondo,  Japan,  lat. 
37°  23'  N.;  long.  137°  36'  E.,  163  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  tem- 
perature 34.9°,  1  specimen;  station  4832,  off  Ando  Zaki,  Japan,  lat. 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK.          43 

36°  14'  30"  N.;  long.  135°  56'  30"  E.,  76-79  fathoms,  dark  gray  sand, 
bottom  temperature  53.2°,  5  specimens;  station  4833,  off  Ando  Zaki, 
Japan,  lat.36°  13'  40"  N.;  long.  135°  56'  30"  E.,79  fathoms,  dark  gray 
sand,  rocks,  1  specimen;  station  4835,  off  O  Shima,  Japan,  lat.  36°  3' 
30"  N.;  long.  135°  52'  30"  E.,  134  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  tem- 
perature 34.9°,  27  specimens;  station  4840,  Sea  of  Japan,  lat.  36°  2' 
N. ;  long.  135°  30'  E.,  154  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature 
33.9°,  6  specimens;  station  4842,  off  Dogo  Island,  lat.  36°  13'  N.; 
long.  133°  27'  E.,  82  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  shells,  bottom  tem- 
perature 54.6°,  13  specimens;  station  4854,  off  Korea,  lat.  35°  54'  N.; 
long.  129°  46'  E.,  335  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature 
32.4°,  22  specimens;  station  4861,  off  Korea,  lat.  36°  19'  N.;  long.  129° 
47'  E.,  163  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  33.4°,  15  speci- 
mens; station  4862,  off  Korea,  lat.  36°  20'  N.;  long.  129°  50'  E.,  184 
fathoms,  green  mud.  bottom  temperature  32.9°,  1  specimen;  station 
4891,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  27'  N.;  long.  128°  34'  E.  181  fathoms 
gray  sand,  broken  shells,  rocks,  bottom  temperature  50.2°,  5  speci- 
mens; station  4981,  off  Benkei  Misaki  Light,  Japan,  lat.  42°  58'  15" 
N.;  long.  140°  9'  10"  E.,  390-406  fathoms;  green  mud,  bottom  tem- 
perature 32.7°,  11  specimens;  station  4982,  Sea  of  Japan,  lat.  43° 
N.;  long.  140°  10'  30"  E.,  390-428  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  tem- 
perature 37.7°,  1  specimen;  station  4986,  Sea  of  Japan,  lat.  43°  1'  40" 
N.;  long.  140°  22'  40"  E.,  172  fathoms,  fine  black  sand,  black  mud, 
bottom  temperature  33.9°,  4  specimens;  station  4987,  Sea  of  Japan, 
lat.  43°  19'  20"  N.;  long.  140°  17'  E.,  59  fathoms,  rocky,  bottom 
temperature  44.8°,  2  specimens;  station  4988,  Sea  of  Japan,  lat.  43° 
23'  10"  N.;  long.  140°  21'  10"  E.,  68  fathoms,  sand,  bottom  tempera- 
ture 45°,  17  specimens;  station  4989,  Sea  of  Japan,  lat.  43°  23'  10" 
N.;  long.  140°  37'  E.,  92  fathoms,  sand,  bottom  temperature  39.7°, 

14  specimens;  station  4991,  Sea  of  Japan,  lat.  45°  23'  20"  N.;  long. 
140°  48'  E.,  325  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  33°,  1  speci- 
men; station  4994,  Sea  of  Japan,  lat.  45°  27'  50"  N.;  long.  140°  54' 
E.,  190  fathoms,  brown  mud,  fine  black  sand,  bottom  temperature  34°, 
9  specimens;  station  4997,  Gulf  of  Tartary,  lat.  47°  38'  40"  N.;  long. 
141°  24'  30"  E.,  318  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  32.8°, 

15  specimens;  station  5022,  Okhotsk  Sea,  lat.  48°  35'  30"  N.;  long. 
145°  20'  E.,  109  fathoms,  green  mud,  coarse  black  sand,  bottom  tem- 
perature 30.1°,  1  specimen;  station  5023,  Okhotsk  Sea,  lat.  48°  43' 
30"  N.;  long.  145°  3'  E.,  75  fathoms,  sand,  pebbles,  bottom  tempera- 
ture 30.9°,  2  specimens;  station  5037,  off  Urakawa  Light,  Japan,  lat. 
42°  2'  40"  N.;  long.  142°  33'  20"  E.,  175-349  fathoms,  bottom  tem- 
perature 37.9°,  1  specimen;  station  5038,  off  Urakawa  Light,  Japan, 
lat.  42°  2'  40"  N. ;  long.  142°  36'  E.,  175  fathoms,  bottom  tempera- 
ture 37.1°,  3  specimens;  station  5092,  in  Uraga  Strait,  Jat.  35°  4'  20" 
N.;  long.  139°  38'  18"  E.,  70  fathoms,  coarse  black  sand,  bottom  tern- 


44  BULLETIN    75,    UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 

perature  56.3°,  3  specimens;  Coal  Station,  Unga,  1  specimen: 
Arctic  Cruise  of  the  Corwin,  183  specimens;  Arctic  Ocean,  1,139 
specimens;  St.  Pauls  Island,  1  specimen;  Bering  Straits,  12  fathoms, 
gravel,  34  specimens;  Bering  Straits,  1  specimen;  10  miles  west  of 
Point  Franklin,  Alaska,  13i  fathoms,  sand,  41  specimens;  Popoft' 
Strait,  6  fathoms,  6  specimens;  Alaska,  143  specimens;  Cape  Sa- 
bine,  Alaska,  13  fathoms,  4  specimens;  15  miles  west  of  Cape  Krusen- 
stern,  5  fathoms,  mud,  5  specimens;  66°  45'  N.  by  166°  35'  W.,  13 
specimens;  Iliuliuk,  78  specimens;  Nazan  Bay,  Atka,  21  speci- 
mens; Captains  Harbor,  Unalaska,  21  specimens;  Port  Levasheff, 
Unalaska,  3  specimens;  Kadiak,  23  specimens;  Sitka,  Alaska,  15 
fathoms,  9  specimens;  Monterey,  California,  1  specimen;  unknown 
stations,  1,812  specimens.  Bathymetrical  range,  5  to  695  fathoms. 
Temperature  range,  56.3°  to  30.1°.  Twenty  thousand  nine  hundred 
and  thirty-two  specimens. 

This  extraordinary  array  of  specimens  exhibits  considerable  diver- 
sity in  several  details.  The  smallest  specimens  have  the  disk  about 
3  mm.  in  diameter,  while  in  the  largest  specimens  it  exceeds  32. 
Most  of  the  specimens  are  uniformly  gray  in  color,  but  there  is  great 
variety  of  shade,  some  being  very  dark,  others  .very  light,  others 
decidedly  yellowish,  and  others  more  or  less  brown.  Some  specimens, 
generally  young  ones,  have  the  arms  banded  with  yellowish  or  whitish, 
and  in  a  few  cases  there  are  whitish  spots  or  markings  on  the  disk. 
Several  specimens  are  distinctly  spotted  with  black.  There  is  equal 
diversity  in  the  length  of  the  arm  spines ;  in  some  specimens  even  the 
uppermost  spine  is  scarcely  as  long  as  a  joint,  while  at  the  other 
extreme  we  find  specimens  in  which  it  equals  two  joints.  The  scales 
of  the  disk  exhibit  more  or  less  diversity,  for  they  are  commonly  per- 
fectly flat,  but  they  may  be  more  or  less  swollen,  so  that  the  disk  is 
sometimes  very  rough.  The  arm  comb,  too,  displays  considerable 
variety,  for  while  the  papillae  are  never  as  broad,  truncate,  and 
crowded  as  in  luikeni  nor  as  slender  and  delicate  as  in  kinbergi,  yet 
they  range  from  those  which  are  wider  than  long  and  bluntly  rounded 
to  those  which  are  several  times  as  long  as  they  are  thick  and  are 
nearly  cylindrical  in  form.  In  any  case  they  are  almost  always  well 
spaced.  In  large  specimens  they  are  sometimes  greatly  reduced. 
The  chief  interest  in  this  huge  collection  of  sarsii  is  the  light  which  it 
throws  on  the  distribution  of  the  species  in  the  North  Pacific  Ocean. 
Previously  known  from  the  North  Atlantic  and  Arctic  oceans  and 
from  Bering  Sea  down  to  depths  of  about  1,700  fathoms,  this  col- 
lection shows  it  to  be  by  far  the  most  abundant  ophiuran  in  the  North 
Pacific,  occurring  at  least  as  far  south  on  both  coasts  as  lat.  38°  N., 
and  down  to  depths  of  about  700  fathoms.  It  is  interesting  to  note 
that  some  of  the  diversities  of  form  and  color  referred  to  above  are 
associated  with  certain  geographical  areas.  Thus  the  black-spotted 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK.          45 

specimens  are  all  from  the  coasts  of  Japan,  and  the  same  is  true  of 
the  specimens  which  have  long  comb  papillae.  Moreover,  many  of 
the  Japanese  specimens  are  brown  rather  than  gray.  It  is  remark- 
able that  in  these  particulars  these  Japanese  specimens  of  sarsii  are 
almost  exactly  like  many  specimens  from  off  the  New  England  coast. 
The  large  series  of  specimens  in  the  Museum  of  Comparative  Zoology 
collection  from  Europe,  Greenland,  and  the  eastern  coast  of  North 
America,  when  compared  with  this  huge  series  from  the  North  Pacific, 
seems  to  indicate  that  the  northern  specimens  are  as  a  rule  larger, 
duller,  and  with  shorter  comb  papillae  than  those  from  near  the 
southern  limit  of  distribution.  The  latter  tend  to  have  elongated 
slender  comb  papillae  and  a  brown  or  variegated  coloration.  There  is 
no  hard  and  fast  rule,  however,  for  typical  sarsii  are  often  taken  at 
the  extreme  southern  part  of  the  range  and  occasionally  at  the  same 
station  with  the  more  divergent  form.  The  specimens  from  stations 
3658,  3659,  3775,  4807  4833,  4987,  and  4988,  and  one  specimen  from 
4826  and  one  from  4989,  have  elongated  comb  papillae.  In  this 
respect  they  approach  Jcinbergi,  but  the  papillae  are  not  as  slender 
as  in  that  species,  and  in  several  other  characters  the  specimens  are 
different. 

OPHIURA  LUTKENI. 

Ophioglypha  liitkeni  LYMAN,  Proc.  Bos.  Soc.  Nat.  Hist.,  vol.  7,  1860,  p.  197. 
Ophiura  luikeni  MEISSNER,  Bronn's  Thierreichs,  vol.  2,  pt.  3, 1901,  p.  925. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  2858,  off  Alaska,  lat.  58°  17'  N.;  long. 
148°  36'  W.,  230  fathoms,  blue  mud,  gravel,  bottom  temperature 
39.8°,  1  specimen;  station  2862,  off  British  Columbia,  lat.  50° 49'  N.; 
long.  127°  36'  30"  W.,  238  fathoms,  gray  sand  and  pebbles,  bottom 
temperature  44.7°,  112  specimens;  station  2868,  off  Washington,  lat. 
47°  52'  N.;  long.  124°  44'  W.,  31  fathoms,  gray  sand,  bottom  tem- 
perature 46.9°,  7  specimens;  station  2869,  off  Washington,  lat.  47° 
38'  N.;  long.  124°  39'  W.,  32  fathoms,  black  sand,  bottom  tempera- 
ture, 48.4°,  8  specimens;  station  2870,  off  Washington,  lat.  46°  44' 
N.;  long.  124°  32'  W.,  58  fathoms,  rocky,  bottom  temperature  46.5°, 
11  specimens;  station  2872,  off  Washington,  lat.  48°  17'  N.;  long. 
124°  52'  W.,  38  fathoms,  gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  45.5°,  3 
specimens;  station  2882,  off  Oregon,  lat.  46°  9'  N.;  long.  124°  22'  30" 
W.,  68  fathoms,  gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  45.8°,  15  specimens; 
station  2884,  off  Oregon,  lat.  45°  55'  N. ;  long.  124°  2'  W.,  29  fathoms, 
fine  gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  50.2°,  2  specimens;  station  3046, 
off  Washington,  lat.  46°  48'  30"  N.;  long.  124°  28'  W.,  48  fathoms, 
fine  gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  46.1°,  18  specimens;  station 
3047,  off  Washington,  lat.  46°  47'  N.;  long.  124°  30'  15"  W.,  50  fath- 
oms, fine  gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  45.9°,  9  specimens;  station 
3049,  off  Washington,  lat.  46°  31'  N.;  long.  124°  22'  W.,  43  fathoms, 
fine  black  sand,  bottom  temperature  46.7°,  12  specimens;  station 


46  BULLETIN    75,    UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

3053,  off  Oregon,  lat.  44°  4'  30"  N.;  long.  124°  50'  W,  64  fathoms, 
coral,  broken  shells,  rocky,  bottom  temperature  47.3°,  3  specimens; 
station  3059,  off  Oregon,  lat.  44°  56'  N.;  long.  124°  12'  30"  W.,  77 
fathoms,  mud,  bottom  temperature  45.1°,  9  specimens;  station  3064, 
off  Oregon,  lat.  46°  3'  15"  N.;  long.  124°  9'  W.,  46  fathoms,  fine  gray 
sand,  gravel,  bottom  temperature  45.6°,  9  specimens;  station  3078, 
off  Oregon,  lat.  43°  59'  15"  N.;  long.  124°  46'  W.,  68  fathoms,  gray 
mud,  bottom  temperature  45.7°,  1  specimen;  station  3114,  off  Cali- 
fornia, lat.  37°  6'  N.;  long.  122°  32'  W.,  62  fathoms,  mud,  bottom 
temperature  ?,  185  specimens;  station  3147,  off  California,  lat.  37°  N.; 
long.  122°  20'  W.,  56  fathoms,  brown  mud,  bottom  temperature  49.2°, 
45  specimens;  station  3148,  off  California,  lat.  37°  8'  N.;  long.  122° 
28'  10"  W.,  47  fathoms,  brown  mud,  bottom  temperature  51.3°,  56 
specimens;  station  3173,  off  California,  lat.  38°  19'  25"  N.;  long.  123° 
14'  30"  W.,  62  fathoms,  mud,  bottom  temperature  48.2°,  12  speci- 
mens; station  3350,  off  California,  lat.  38°  58'  10"  N.;  long.  123°  57' 
5"  W.,  75  fathoms,  fine  sand,  mud,  bottom  temperature  48.4°,  34 
specimens;  station  3671,  off  California,  lat.  37°  N.;  long.  122°  20'  W., 
56  fathoms, green  mud,  sand,  20  specimens;  Sitka,  15  fathoms,  10  speci- 
mens; Bellkoffsky  Bay,  15  to  25  fathoms,  shells,  4  specimens;  un- 
known stations,  72  specimens.  Bathymetrical  range,  15  to  238  fath*- 
cms.  Temperature  range,  51.3°  to  39.8°.  Six  hundred  and  fifty- 
eight  specimens. 

Among  these  658  specimens,  the  diameter  of  the  disk  ranges  from 
7  to  27  mm.,  and  there  is  some  diversity  of  color,  but  the  appearance 
of  the  arm  comb  and  the  length  of  the  arm  spines  show  surprisingly 
little  variety.  One  of  the  specimens  from  station  2858  is  perfectly 
tetramerous.  The  characteristic  color  of  this  species  is  bright  gray, 
with  whitish  and  blackish  markings  on  the  disk  and  particularly  on 
the  distal  half  of  the  oral  interbrachial  spaces.  These  light  and  dark 
spots  are  occasionally  present  also  on  the  arms.  The  lower  surface 
of  the  entire  animal  is  nearly  white.  In  many  specimens  the  light 
spots  of  the  disk  are  very  conspicuous,  but  it  is  quite  as  common  to 
find  specimens  on  which  there  are  no  markings  of  any  kind.  The 
general  structure  of  lutlceni,  is,  as  a  rule,  lighter  and  handsomer  than 
that  of  sarsii,  and  the  disk  is  commonly  distinctly  pentangular  rather 
than  circular.  Some  specimens,  however,  at  first  sight,  are  hard  to 
distinguish  from  sarsii,  but  in  every  such  case  the  arm  comb  offers 
an  unmistakable  character,  the  wide,  truncate,  closely-crowded  papil- 
lae of  lutlceni  being  entirely  unlike  those  of  any  specimen  of  sarsii 
which  I  have  ever  seen.  There  can  be  no  doubt  that  luikeni  on  the 
western  American  coast  and  Jcinbergi  on  the  eastern  Asiatic  coast  are 
southern  forms  of  sarsii,  for  which  species  the  center  of  abundance 
in  the  eastern  hemisphere  is  undoubtedly  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Aleu- 
tian Islands  and  in  Bering  Sea. 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK.          47 

v  The  range  of  kinbergi  extends  from  the  Gulf  of  Tokyo  to  the  Red 
Sea  and  New  South  Wales,  while  liiikeni  ranges  from  Alaska  to  San 
Diego,  California.  The  two  are  thus  very  evidently  warm-water 
species,  found  only  in  comparatively  shallow  water.  They  are  there- 
fore widely  separated  from  each  other,  but  the  range  of  sarsii  broadly 
overlaps  that  of  each  of  them,  so  that  sarsii  and  Jcinbergi  may  both 
be  found  on  the  coast  of  Honshu  Island,  Japan,  while  sarsii  and  lut- 
Iceni  are  both  common  off  the  coast  of  Oregon  and  Washington.  The 
three  species  are  easily  distinguished  as  follows: 

KEY  TO   SPECIES. 

Arm  comb  made  up  of  short,  broad,  truncate  papillae,  which  are  closely  crowded  side 

by  side,  so  that  there  is  no  resemblance  to  a  comb lutkeni. 

Arm  comb  made  up  of  well-spaced,  blunt  or  pointed  papillae,  so  that  there  is  more 
or  less  resemblance  to  a  comb. 

Disk  scales  variable;  more  or  less  irregular,  and  angular,  often  somewhat  swollen; 
primary  plates  rarely  noticeable;  comb-papillae  short  and  bead-like  or  more 
or  less  elongated,  the  length  not  often  exceeding  three  times  the  greatest  thick- 
ness; middle  arm  spine  becoming  the  longest  at  tip  of  arm sarsii. 

Disk  scales  flat,  the  primary  plates  conspicuous  and  usually  surrounded  by  belts 
of  smaller  ones  much  as  in  Ophiolepis;  comb-papillae  very  slender,  their  length 
at  least  five  times  their  thickness;  middle  arm  spine  becoming  the  shortest  at 
tip  of  arm Iciribergi. 

OPHIURA  MICRACANTHA,  new  species.o 

Disk  12  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  50  mm.  long.  Disk  covered 
by  several  hundred  overlapping  scales,  of  varying  size,  among  which 
the  centro-dorsal  and  several  radial  and  interradial  plates  can  be  dis- 
tinguished by  their  larger  size.  Radial  shields  about  as  wide  as  long, 
separated,  or  barely  in  contact  at  middle,  outer  ends  rounded,  inner 
somewhat  pointed.  Basal  upper  arm  plates  much  wider  than  long, 
tetragonal,  distal  side  longest  and  distinctly  convex;  gradually  the 
plates  become  longer  and  narrower,  until  at  middle  of  arm  they  are 
longer  than  wide  and  are  very  narrow  proximally;  they  remain  in 
contact  nearly  to  tip  of  arm ;  in  small  specimens  (disk  diameter  about 
8  mm.)  only  first  two  or  three  plates  are  wider  than  long.  Inter- 
brachial  spaces  below  covered  by  numerous  scales,  of  which  those 
nearest  margin  are  largest.  Oral  shields  pentagonal,  wider  than  long, 
with  a  slight  notch  in  lateral  margins  at  end  of  genital  slits.  Adoral 
plates  long  and  slender,  three  or  four  times  as  long  as  wide ;  oral  plates 
shorter  and  stouter.  Oral  papillae  three  on  each  side,  wide,  two  outer 
ones  with  a  thin  sharp  edge  which  is  often  distinctly  notched.  Teeth 
about  four,  lowermost  smallest.  Genital  slits  long  but  not  conspicu- 
ous. Genital  scales  hidden  by  scaling  of  interbrachial  spaces,  but 

« McKpbe,  signifying  small,  and  aKavOa,  signifying  spine,  in  reference  to  the  very 
small,  middle  arm  spine. 


48 


BULLETIN   75,    UNITED   STATES    NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 


wide  and  conspicuous  at  their  upper,  outer  ends;  marginal  row  of 
papillae  well  developed;  seen  from  above,  arm  comb  consists  of  six 
to  eight  slender  well-spaced  papillae,  succeeded  by  much  broader  ones 
in  contact  with  each  other.  First  under  arm  plate  wider  than  long, 
somewhat  pointed  distally;  second  plate  much  larger,  nearly  as  long 
as  wide,  somewhat  hexagonal;  succeeding  plates  much  wider  than 
long,  somewhat  triangular,  rapidly  becoming  very  small;  only  first 
two  or  three  in  contact.  Side  arm  plates  large,  meeting  below  but 
not  above;  each  plate  carries  three  arm  spines,  of  which  lowest  is 
longest  and  stoutest  and  exceeds  one-half  joint;  middle  arm  spine 
very  short  and  peg-like,  not  half  as  long  as  lowest.  Oral  tentacle  pores 

not  opening  clearly  into  mouth 
slit,  with  about  four  scales  on 
each  side.  First  two  or  three 
pairs  of  pores  of  arm  rather 
large,  with  two  to  five  (usually 
three  or  four)  scales  on  each 
side ;  succeeding  pores  small  or 
wanting,  with  only  a  single  ten- 
tacle scale,  but  that  seems  to 
persist  to  end  of  arm.  Color 
(dried  from  alcohol),  dull  pur- 
plish -  gray  above,  creamy- 
whitish  below;  in  some  speci- 
mens the  arms  show  indications 
of  being  banded  with  darker. 
Localities., — Albatross  station 
4900,  off  Goto  Islands,  Japan, 
lat.  32°  28'  50"  N.;  long.  128° 
34'  40"  E.,  139  fathoms,  gray 
sand,  broken  shells,  bottom 


FIG.IO.-OPHIURAMICKACANTHA.    X4.   a,  FROM  ABOVE;    temperature 52. 9°, 2 specimens; 
b,  FROM   BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO  ARM  JOINTS    station    4933,     off 

NEAR  DISK.  /-^..If       T 1  _  J.        orvO 


Kagoshima 


Gulf,  Japan,  lat.  30°  59'  N.; 
long.  130°  29'  50"  E.,  152  fathoms,  rocky,  bottom  temperature  56°, 
1  specimen;  station  5091,  in  Uraga  Gulf,  Japan,  lat.  35°  4'  10"  N.; 
long.  139°  38'  12"  E.,  197  fathoms,  green  mud,  coarse  black  sand, 
pebbles,  bottom  temperature  47.6°,  2  specimens.  Bathymetrical 
range,  139  to  197  fathoms.  Temperature  range,  56°-47.6°.  Five 
specimens. 

Type.— Cat.  No.  25535,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  5091. 

Although  this  species  is  nearly  related  to  sarsii  and  kinbergi,  it  is 
easily  distinguished  from  either  by  the  very  peculiar,  short,  peg-like 
middle  arm  spine.  The  size  and  proportions  of  the  arm  spines  show 
some  diversity  in  the  different  specimens,  but  in  every  case  the  middle 


NOBTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK.          49 

spine  is  disproportionately  small.  In  one  specimen  the  lowest  spine 
is  as  long  as  the  joint,  at  the  base  of  the  arm,  and  is  conspicuously 
bigger  than  the  uppermost.  There  are  neither  pits  nor  depressions 
between  the  basal  under  arm  plates,  but  the  surface  of  those  plates 
is  usually  rough,  as  though  wrinkled. 

OPHIURA  MACULATA. 

Ophioglypha  maculata  LUDWIG,  Zool.  Jahrb.  Syst.,  vol.  1,  1886,  p.  283. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  2842,  off  Aleutian  Islands,  lat.  54° 
15'  N.;  long.  166°  3'  W.,  72  fathoms,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature 
41°,  9  specimens;  station  4769,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  30'  40"  N.; 
long.  179°  14'  E.,  237  to  244  fathoms,  gray  sand,  green  mud,  bottom 
temperature  38.5°,  1  specimen;  station  4778,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  52° 
12'  N. ;  long.  179°  52'  E.,  33  to  43  fathoms,  fine  black  gravel,  2  speci- 
mens; station  4779,  on  Petrel  Bank,  lat.  52°  11"  N.;  long.  179°  57' 
W.,  54  to  56  fathoms,  broken  shells,  pebbles,  sand,  1  specimen;  sta- 
tion 4782,  off  Aleutian  Islands,  lat.  52°  55'  N.;  long.  173°  27'  E.,  57 
to  59  fathoms,  rocks  and  gravel,  2  specimens;  station  4784,  off 
Aleutian  Islands,  lat.  52°  55'  40"  N.;  long.  173°  26'  E.,  135  fathoms, 
coarse  pebbles,  9  specimens.  Plover  Bay,  Siberia,  10  to  25  fath- 
oms, hard,  2  specimens;  10  miles  west  of  Point  Franklin,  Alaska, 
13 J  fathoms,  sand,  154  specimens;  Awatska  Bay  (Kamtchatka) , 
1  specimen;  Constantine  Harbor,  6  to  10  fathoms,  8  specimens;  Bering 
Straits,  1  specimen;  Indian  Point,  Bering  Straits,  17  fathoms,  15 
specimens;  Kyska  Harbor,  Aleutian  Islands,  16  specimens;  Bay  of 
Islands,  Aleutian  Islands,  10  specimens;  Nazan  Bay,  Atka,  Aleutian 
Islands,  1  specimen;  Port  Levasheff,  Unalaska,  Aleutian  Islands,  1 
specimen;  Alaska,  8  specimens.  Bathymetrical  range,  6  to  244 
fathoms.  Two  hundred  and  forty  specimens. 

The  specimens  from  Plover  Bay  answer  so  well  to  Ludwig's  de- 
scription of  his  specimens  from  the  same  place  that  there  can  be  no 
question  as  to  their  identity,  but  the  other  specimens  show  such  a 
wide  range  of  diversity  that  there  are  several  which,  taken  by  them- 
selves, would  never  be  regarded  as  maculata.  What  Ludwig  con- 
sidered a  distinguishing  character  of  the  species,  the  absence  of  an 
arm  comb,  proves  to  be  a  very  inconstant  feature,  for  while  some 
specimens  appear  to  have  none,  it  is  usually  more  or  less  evident  and  is 
often  well  developed.  The  color  of  those  specimens  which  are  not 
bleached  by  alcohol  is  rather  variable,  the  shade  of  olive-green 
showing  great  diversity,  as  does  the  amount  of  cream  color,  with 
which  the  disk  and  arms  are  marked.  Some  specimens  have  a 
large  blotch  of  cream  color  at  the  center  of  the  disk,  but  usually 
there  is  only  a  small  spot  and  often  there  are  no  markings  at  all. 
One  feature  of  the  coloration  is  quite  constant,  and  that  is  the 
34916°— Bull.  75—11 4 


50 


BULLETIN    75,    UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 


division  of  each  radial  shield  into  a  light  outer  and  a  dark  inner  half. 
This  seems  to  be  a  helpful  diagnostic  mark  for  the  species.  One  of 
the  most  constant  specific  characters  is  the  number  (four)  and  rela- 
tive size  of  the  arm  spines,  and  the  absence  of  tentacle  pores  and 


FIG.  11.— OPHIURA  MACULATA;  ADULT,  a-c,  X5;  YOUNG,  d-f,  X7.    a  AND  d,  FROM  ABOVE;  6  AND  e,  FROM 
BELOW;  c  AND  /,  SIDE  VIEWS  OF  ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

tentacle  scales  on  the  arms.  The  number  of  disk  scales  and  the 
form  of  the  oral  shields  are  unusually  variable,  while  the  radial  shields 
which  are  in  contact  in  young  specimens  and  in  some  adults  are 
often  very  widely  separated  from  each  other.  The  figures  given 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLAEK. 


51 


herewith  reveal  some  of  these  notable  variations;  figs,  lld-f  are 
from  a  specimen  having  the  disk  7  mm.  in  diameter,  while  figs. 
lla-c  are  from  a  much  larger  specimen,  with  a  disk  11  mm.  across. 
A  number  of  the  specimens  are  labeled  " OphioglypJia  robusta  (Ayres)," 
but  this  is  clearly  an  error.  I  have  not  yet  seen  a  specimen  of 
robusta  from  Bering  Sea  or  the  North  Pacific.  It  is  rather  remark- 
able that  neither  Grieg a  nor  Meissner 6  mention  this  species,  although 
both  writers  in  their  bibliographies  refer  to  Lud wig's  paper. 

OPHIURA  LEPTOCTENIA,  new  species.c 

Disk  11  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  30  mm.  long.  Disk  flat  and 
more  or  less  circular,  covered  by  a  close  coat  of  two  or  three  hun- 
dred scales,  among  which 
the  centrfldorsal  is  easily 
distinguishable,  though  it 
is  seldom  so  large  as  in  fig. 
12a;  one  radial  plate  just 
proximal  to  or  between 
radial  shields  is  commonly 
larger  than  the  other  disk 
scales.  Radial  shields  large, 
longer  than  wide,  some- 
times wholly  separated,  but 
usually  in  contact  distally, 
inner  sides  nearly  or  quite 
straight,  but  more  or  less 
strongly  diverging.  Basal 
upper  arm  plates  tetrago- 
nal, with  edges  more  or  less 
curved,  much  wider  than 
long;  near  middle  of  arm 

they    are    about    as   long   as     FiG.12.— OPHIURA  LEPTOCTENIA.  X5.  O,FKOM  ABOVE;  6, FROM 

wide,  and  at  tip  they  are  BELOW;  c>  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THKEE  ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK' 
very  much  longer  than  wide  and  are  nearly  triangular;  in  contact 
with  each  other  whole  length  of  arm.  Interbrachial  spaces  below 
closely  covered  with  numerous  small  scales.  Oral  shields  much 
longer  than  wide,  with  a  broad  proximal  angle  and  a  curved  distal 
margin.  Adoral  plates  and  oral  plates  well  marked  and  about  of 
a  size.  Oral  papillae  numerous,  six  or  more  on  a  side,  narrow 
and  sharp.  Teeth  narrow  and  pointed.  Genital  slits  conspicuous, 
reaching  from  oral  shield  to  margin  of  disk.  Genital  scales  large, 

«  Fauna  Arctica,  vol.  1,  pt.  2,  1900,  pp.  259-286. 
&  Bronn's  Thierreichs,  vol.  2,  pt.  3,  1901,  p.  925. 

c  Aemfa,  signify  ing  fine,  slender,  and  Krevlov,  signifying  a  small  comb,  in  reference  to 
the  slender  comb  papillae . 


b 


52  BULLETIN   75,    UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

with  broad  upper  ends;  each  scale  carries,  orally,  a  crowded 
series  of  minute  papillae,  which  elongate  as  we  pass  upward  and 
form  a  conspicuous  arm  comb;  as  seen  from  above  this  comb  consists 
of  ten  or  a  dozen  long,  very  slender  spinelets,  middle  ones  longest. 
More  or  less  of  a  secondary  comb  is  often  developed  on  arm  plates 
beneath  true  comb.  First  under  arm  plate  about  three  times  as  wide 
as  long;  succeeding  plates  wider  than  long,  more  or  less  triangular, 
diamond  shaped  or  elliptical;  all  widely  separated  from  each  other. 
Side  arm  plates  large  but  low,  meeting  broadly  on  under  side  of  arm, 
but  widely  separated  above  except  at  tip  of  arm,  where  they  nearly 
meet;  each  plate  carries  three  slender,  sharp  arm  spines,  uppermost 
distinctly  longest  and  equaling  or  exceeding  joint.  Tentacle  pores 
large,  oral  one  opening  into  mouth  angle  and  protected  by  five  or  six 
scales  on  each  side,  those  of  inner  side  somewhat  larger;  at  first 
arm  pore  three  or  four  slender,  spine-like  scales  stand  on  side  arm 
plate  and  two  or  three  on  under  arm  plate;  on  succeeding  pores,  scales 
of  side  arm  plate  soon  become  reduced  to  two  and  at  middle  of  arm  to 
one;  those  of  under  arm  plate  disappear  altogether  after  the  first 
three  or  four  pores.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  white,  yellowish,  or 
very  pale  gray. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  2859,  off  Alaska,  lat.  55°  20'  N. ;  long. 
136°  20'  W.j  1,569  fathoms,  gray  ooze,  bottom  temperature  34.9°,  3 
specimens;  station  2860,  off  British  Columbia,  lat.  51°  23 '  N. ;  long. 
130°  34'  W.,  876  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  36.5°,  57 
specimens;  station  2863,  off  Washington,  lat.  48°  58'  N.;  long.  123° 
10'  W.,  67  fathoms,  fine  sand,  black  specks,  bottom  temperature 
48.5°,  123  specimens;  station  2871,  off  Washington,  lat.  46°  55'  N.; 
long.  125°  11'  W.,  559  fathoms,  brown  ooze,  bottom  temperature 
38.4°,  9  specimens;  station  3069,  off  Washington,  lat.  47°  25'  30"  N.; 
long.  125°  42'  W.,  760  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature 
37.6°,  74  specimens;  station  3070,  off  Washington,  lat.  47°  29'  30" 
N.;  long.  125°  43'  W.,  636  fathoms/green  mud,  bottom  temperature 
37.6°,  14  specimens;  station  3071,  off  Washington,  lat.  47°  29'  N.; 
long.  125°  33'  30"  W.,  685  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature 
38°,  11  specimens;  station  3075,  off  Washington,  lat.  47°  22'  N. ;  long. 
125°  41'  W.,  859  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  36.6°,  19 
specimens;  station  3227,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  36'  30"  N.;  long.  166° 
54'  W.,  225  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  38.6°,  155 
specimens,  station  3324,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  53°  33'  50"  N.;  long.  167° 
46'  50"  W.,  109  fathoms,  coarse  black  sand,  gravel,  rocks,  1  specimen; 
station  3329,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  53°  56'  50"  N.;  long.  167°  8'  15"  W., 
399  fathoms,  fine  black  sand,  bottom  temperature  37.7°,  35  speci- 
mens; station  3331,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  1'  40"  N.;  long.  166°  48'  50" 
W.,  350  fathoms,  mud,  bottom  temperature,  22  specimens;  station 
3332,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  2'  50"  N.;  long.  166°  45'  W.,  406  fathoms, 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK.          53 

rocky,  sand,  1  specimen;  station  3337,  off  Aleutian  Islands,  lat.  53° 
55'  30"  N.;  long.  163°  26'  W.,  280  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  tem- 
perature 39.3°,  2  specimens;  station  3340,  off  Aleutian  Islands,  lat. 
55°  26'  N.;  long.  155°  26'  W.,  695  fathoms,  mud,  bottom  tempera- 
ture 36.8°,  14  specimens;  station  3343,  off  Washington,  lat.  47°  40' 
40"  N.;  long.  125°  20' W.,  516  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  tem- 
perature 38.2°,  6  specimens;  station  3344,  off  Washington,  lat.  47°  20' 
N.;  long.  125°  7'  30"  W.,  831  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  tempera- 
ture 36.8°,  39  specimens;  station  3346,  off  Oregon,  lat.  45°  30'  N.; 
long.  124°  52'  W.,  786  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature 
37.3°,  21  specimens;  station  3603,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  55°  23'  N.;  long. 
170°  31'  W.,  1,771  fathoms,  blue  ooze,  bottom  temperature  35.1°,  1 
specimen;  station  3607,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  11'  30"  N.;  long.  167° 
25'  W.,  987  fathoms,  green  mud,  black  lava  sand,  bottom  tempera- 
ture 35.9°,  4  specimens;  station  3608,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  55°  19'  N.; 
long.  168°  11'  W.,  276  fathoms,  gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  37.8°, 
209  specimens;  station  3609,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  55°  35'  N. ;  long.  168°  20' 
W.,  74  fathoms,  green  mud,  sand,  bottom  temperature  37.9°,  423 
specimens;  station  4765,  off  Aleutian  Islands,  lat.  53°  12'  N.;  long. 
171°  37'  W.,  1,217  fathoms,  fine  black  sand,  bottom  temperature 
35.2°,  6  specimens;  station  4766,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  52°  38'  N.;  long. 
174°  49'  W.,  1,766  fathoms,  14  specimens;  station  4769,  Bering  Sea, 
lat.  54°  30'  40"  N.;  long.  179°  14'  E.,  237-244  fathoms,  green  mud, 
gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  38.9°,  2  specimens;  station  4770, 
Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  31'  N.;  long.  179°  15'  E.,  247  fathoms,  1  speci- 
men; station  4774,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  33'  N.;  long.  178°  45'  E., 
557-584  fathoms,  green  mud,  black  specks,  foraminifera,  bottom 
temperature  37.2°,  311  specimens;  station  4775,  Bering  Sea,  lat. 
54°  33'  30"  N.;  long.  178°  44'  E.,  584  fathoms,  green  mud,  black 
specks,  foraminifera,  94  specimens;  station  4781,  Bering  Sea,  lat. 
52°  14'  30"  N.;  long.  174°  13'  E.,  482  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand, 
pebbles,  bottom  temperature  38.6°,  1  specimen;  station  4814,  Sea  of 
Japan,  lat.  38°  32'  N. ;  long.  138°  43'  E.,  429  fathoms,  brown  mud, 
bottom  temperature  32.9°,  2  specimens;  station  4818,  Sea  of  Japan, 
lat.  38°  8'  55"  N.;  long.  138°  31'  30"  E.,  225-245  fathoms,  fine 
brown  mud,  bottom  temperature  33.7°,  2  specimens;  station  4819, 
Sea  of  Japan,  lat.  38°  9'  N. ;  long.  138°  32'  12"  E.,  245  fathoms,  fine 
brown  mud,  bottom  temperature  33.1°,  5  specimens;  station  4854, 
off  coast  of  Korea,  lat.  35°  54'  N.;  long.  129°  46'  E.,  335  fathoms, 
green  mud,  bottom  temperature  32.4°,  121  specimens;  station  4863, 
Sea  of  Japan,  lat.  36°  21'  N. ;  long.  129°  53'  E.,  250  fathoms,  green 
mud,  bottom  temperature  32.7°,  1  specimen;  station  4965,  off 
eastern  Japan,  lat.  33°  35'  20"  N. ;  long.  135°  10' 50"  E.,  191  fathoms, 
green-gray  sand,  shells,  bottom  temperature  49.4°,  3  specimens; 
station  4980,  off  eastern  Japan,  lat.  34°  9'  N.;  long.  137°  55'  E., 


54  BULLETIN   75,   UNITED   STATES  NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 

507  fathoms,  brown  mud,  fine  sand,  foraminifera,  bottom  tempera- 
ture 39°,  4  specimens;  station  4981,  Sea  of  Japan,  lat.  42°  58'  15" 
N.;  long.  140°  9'  10"  E.,  390-406  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  tem- 
perature 32.7°,  49  specimens;  station  4986,  Sea  of  Japan,  lat.  43°  1' 
40"  N.;  long.  140°  22'  40"  E.,  172  fathoms,  fine  black  sand,  black 
mud,  bottom  temperature  33.9°,  1  specimen;  station  4989,  Sea  of 
Japan,  lat.  43°  23'  10"  N.;  long.  140°  37'  E.,  92  fathoms,  sand, 
bottom  temperature  39. 7°,  1  specimen;  station  4991,  Sea  of  Japan, 
lat.  45°  23'  20"  N.;  long.  140°  48'  E.,  325  fathoms,  green  mud, 
bottom  temperature  33°,  1  specimen;  station  4997,  Gulf  of  Tartary, 
lat.  47°  38'40"N.;  long.  141°  24'  30"  E.,  318  fathoms,  green  mud, 
bottom  temperature  32.8°,  4  specimens;  station  5020,  Okhotsk  Sea, 
lat.  48°  32'  45"  N.;  long.  145°  7'  30"  E.,  73  fathoms,  green  mud, 
sand,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  30.9°,  4  specimens;  station  5021, 
Okhotsk  Sea,  lat.  48°  32'  30"  N.;  long.  145°  8'  45"  E.,  73  fathoms, 
green  mud,  sand,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  30.9°,  3  specimens; 
station  5026,  Okhotsk  Sea,  lat.  48°  36'  10"  N.;  long.  145°  17'  30"  E., 
119  fathoms,  green  mud,  black  sand,  gravel,  bottom  temperature 
30.4°,  1  specimen;  station  5037,  off  the  Hokkaido,  Japan,  lat.  42°  2' 
40"  N.;  long.  142°  33'  20"  E.,  175-349  fathoms,  bottom  tempera- 
ture, 37.9°,  2  specimens;  station  5082,  off  Omai  Saki,  Japan,  lat. 
34°  5'  N.;  long.  137°  59"  E.,  662  fathoms,  green  mud,  fine  sand, 
globigerina,  bottom  temperature  37.7°,  18  specimens;  station  5083, 
off  Omai  Saki,  Japan,  lat.  34°  4'  20"  N. ;  long.  137°  57'  30"  E.,  624 
fathoms,  green  mud,  fine  sand,  globigerina,  bottom  temperature  38.1°, 
85  specimens;  Bering  Sea,  60  specimens.  Bathymetrical  range,  67- 
1,771  fathoms.  Temperature  range,  49.4°  to  30.9°.  Two  thousand 
and  thirty-seven  specimens. 

Type.— Cat.  No.  25732,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  3069. 

Although  these  two  thousand  specimens  come  from  such  widely 
separated  localities  and  such  greatly  different  depths,  they  exhibit 
surprisingly  little  diversity.  There  are  slight  differences  in  the  num- 
ber of  disk  scales  and  particularly  in  the  conspicuousness  of  the  centro- 
dorsal  and  other  primary  plates,  in  the  form  of  the  oral  shields,  and 
in  the  length  and  thickness  of  the  arm  spines ;  but  these  peculiarities 
are  very  insignificant  and  do  not  seem  to  be  associated  at  all  with 
either  locality  or  depth.  In  a  few  individuals  from  considerable 
depths  there  are  widely  scattered,  minute  spines  on  the  disk  scales, 
but  other  individuals  from  the  same  stations  have  none  and  the 
peculiarity  appears  to  be  of  no  systematic  importance.  The  geo- 
graphical range  of  this  species  is  extended  but  peculiar;  on  the 
American  coast  it  ranges  from  northern  Oregon  (lat.  45°  30'  N. ;  long. 
124°  52'  W.)  to  the  western  end  of  the  Aleutian  Islands  (long.  174° 
13'  E.)  and  northward  into  Bering  Sea  (lat.  55°  35'  N.);  on  the 
Asiatic  coast  it  was  taken  off  eastern  Japan,  as  far  south  as  33°  35'  20", 


NOKTH   PACIFIC    OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM — CLARK.          55 

and  at  various  stations  in  the  Sea  of  Japan,  from  lat.  35°  54'  N. ; 
and  long.  129°  46'  E.,  northward  to  Saghalin  Island  (lat.  48°  32' 
45"  N.;  long.  145°  7'  30"  E.).  Between  Saghalin  and  the  western 
end  of  the  Aleutians  no  specimens  of  this  ophiuran  were  taken, 
though  it  is  hard  to  explain  their  absence  in  that  region;  perhaps  we 
may  assume  that  depth,  temperature,  and  bottom  were  not  suitably 
combined  at  any  of  the  thirty-two  stations  of  the  Albatross.  Off  the 
American  coast  the  bathymetrical  range  of  this  species  is  extraordi- 
nary, extending,  as  stated  above,  from  67  fathoms  to  1,771,  while  the 
bottom  temperature  varied  from  48.5°  down  to  34.9°.  In  the  Sea  of 
Japan,  however,  the  bathymetrical  range  is  only  from  172  to  429 
fathoms,  with  a  very  low  bottom  temperature,  33.9°-32.4°;  off  the 
east  coast  of  Saghalin  specimens  were  taken  in  only  73  fathoms,  but 
the  bottom  temperature  was  extraordinarily  low,  30.9°,  while  off 
eastern  Japan  they  were  taken  in  water  as  warm  as  49.4°  and  again 
in  water  as  deep  as  507  fathoms. 

It  is  remarkable  that,  among  previously  known  species,  one  of  the 
nearest  allies  of  leptoctenia  appears  to  be  a  species  taken  by  the 
Challenger  off  the  coast  of  Brazil  and  called  by  Lyman  Ophioglypha 
ljungmani.  Judging  only  by  the  figures  of  the  upper  side,  it  is  almost 
impossible  to  distinguish  the  two  species;  orally,  however,  there  are 
some  obvious  and  important  differences  in  the  shape  of  the  oral 
shields  and  the  first  under  arm  plate,  as  well  as  in  the  oral  papillae 
and  tentacle  scales.  When  the  specimens  themselves  are  compared, 
the  much  longer  arms  and  thicker  disk  of  ljungmani  distinguish  the 
two  species  at  a  glance.  It  is  interesting  to  note  (what  Lyman  does 
not  mention)  that  in  some  specimens  of  ljungmani  the  disk  scales 
carry  scattered  minute  spinelets  exactly  like  those  which  occur  in 
leptoctenia.  From  Jcinbergi,  which  it  resembles  somewhat  in  its 
slender  comb  papillae,  leptoctenia  is  distinguished  by  the  difference  in 
the  disk  scaling,  the  absence  of  pits  between  the  basal  under  arm 
plates,  and  the  absence  of  a  rounded  tentacle  scale  on  the  arm  pores. 
From  young  individuals  of  sarsii  or  luikeni,  with  which  it  is  most 
likely  to  be  confused,  the  sharp,  slender  comb  papillae  will  invariably 
distinguish  it. 

OPHIURA  QUADRISPINA,  new  species." 

Disk  9  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  30  mm.  long.  Disk  rather 
flat,  nearly  circular,  covered  by  two  or  three  hundred  scales,  among 
which  the  six  primary  plates  are  more  or  less  distinguishable  though 
they,  are  very  rarely  conspicuous.  Kadial  shields  of  moderate  size, 
rather  longer  than  broad,  separated  or  touching  distally.  Upper 
arm  plates  more  or  less  tetragonal,  at  first  wider  than  long  and 

aQuattuor  (quadri-),  signify  ing  four,  smdspinus,  signifying  spine,  in  reference  to  the 
four  arm  spines. 


56 


BULLETIN   15,   UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 


broadly  in  contact,  but  soon  becoming  longer  than  wide;  outer 
margin  decidedly  convex;  at  tip  of  arm  the  plates  are  triangular 
and  separated  from  each  other.  Interbrachial  space  below  closely 
scaled.  Oral  shield  somewhat  pentagonal,  with  a  wide  proximal 
angle,  much  longer  than  wide.  Adoral  and  oral  plates  moderate 
and  subequal.  Oral  papillae  five  or  six  on  a  side  subequal.  Teeth 
long,  narrow,  and  pointed.  Genital  slits  conspicuous,  but  genital 
scales  very  narrow  and  almost  completely  hidden.  Each  scale 
carries  a  marginal  series  of  minute,  sharp  papillae,  which  become 
larger  as  they  approach  the  upper  side  of  the  arm,  to  form  the  arm 
comb;  as  seen  from  above  this  comb  is  continuous  across  the  base 
of  the  arm,  and  some  of  the  papillae  may  be  borne  by  either  the 

radial  shields  or  the 
marginal  disk  scale  be- 
tween them;  the  pa- 
pillae are  always  short, 
but  may  be  either  sharp 
or  blunt.  A  slight  sec- 
ondary comb  may  be 
developed  on  the  basal 
upper  arm  plates  but 
it  is  almost  wholly  hid- 
den by  the  true  comb. 
First  under  arm  plate 
wider  than  long,  nearly 
quadrangular :  succeed- 
ing plates  small,  wider 
than  long,  at  first  pen- 
tagonal, but  soon  be- 
coming triangular  and 
then  half-moon  shaped, 

FIG.  13.— OPHIURA  QUADRISPINA.    X5.5.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  FROM     with  the  proximal  side 
BELOW;  c.  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO  ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK.  •    i   .  -i    , ,        T   j.    i 

straight  and  the  distal 

strongly  convex;  all  the  plates  are  widely  separated  from  each 
other,  except  second  and  third,  which  are  sometimes  in  contact. 
Side  arm  plates  rather  large  and  low,  meeting  beneath  even  within 
disk  but  not  above  until  near  tip  of  arm;  each  one  carries  four  long, 
slender,  acute  spines,  of  which  uppermost  is  decidedly  longest,  equal- 
ing one-and-a-half  to  two  joints.  Tentacle  pores  large;  oral  pair 
opening  into  mouth  slit  and  guarded  by  four  to  six  long,  flat,  con- 
spicuous scales  on  each  side;  these  scales  are  noticeable  for  their 
length,  which  is  much  greater  than  that  of  the  oral  papillae.  Basal 
arm  pores  guarded  by  several  long,  sharp  scales,  of  which  there  are 
three  or  four  on  each  side;  farther  out  there  are  three,  two,  and 
finally  only  one,  borne  on  proximal  side;  they  are  all  slender  and 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM — CLARK.          57 

acute.     Color   (dried  from  alcohol),  very  light   gray,  yellowish,  or 
white. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  2842,  off  Alaskan  peninsula,  lat.  54° 
15'  N. ;  long.  166°  3'  W.,  72  fathoms,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature 
41°,  1  specimen;  station  2853,  off  Alaskan  peninsula,  lat.  56°  N.; 
long.  15.4°  20'  W.,  159  fathoms,  gray  sand,  bottom  temperature 
41°,  44  specimens;  station  2854,  off  Alaskan  peninsula,  lat.  56° 
55'  N. ;  long.  153°  4'  W.,  60  fathoms,  black  sand,  bottom  temperature 
42.8°,  4  specimens;  station  2858,  off  Alaskan  peninsula,  lat.  58° 
17'  N.;  long.  148°  36'  W.,  230  fathoms,  blue  mud,  gravel,  bottom 
temperature  39.8°,  6  specimens;  station  3331,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54° 
1'  40"  N.;  long.  168°  48'  50"  W.,  350  fathoms,  mud,  6  specimens; 
station  3332,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  2'  50"  N.;  long.  166°  45'  W.,  406 
fathoms,  rocky  sand,  1  specimen;  station  3337,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  53° 
55'  30"  N. ;  long.  163°  26'  W.,  280  fathoms,  green  mud,  rocks,  bottom 
temperature  39.3°,  2  specimens;  station  3338,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54° 
19'  N.;  long.  159°  40'  W.,  625  fathoms,  green  mud,  sand,  bottom 
temperature  37.3°,  1  specimen;  station  3785,  150  miles  north  of 
Aleutian  Islands,  270  fathoms,  gray  sand,  broken  shells,  1  specimen; 
station  4770,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  31'  N.;  long.  179°  15'  W.,  247 
fathoms,  2  specimens;  station  4781,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  52°  14'  30"  N.; 
long.  174°  13'  E.,  482  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  pebbles,  bottom 
temperature  38.6°,  17  specimens;  station  4784,  Bering  Sea,  lat. 
52°  55'  40"  N. ;  long.  173°  26'  E.,  135  fathoms,  coarse  pebbles,  1  speci- 
men; station  4788,  near  Copper  Island,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  50'  24" 
N.,  long.  167°  13'  E.,  56  to  57  fathoms,  green  sand,  1  specimen; 
station  4789,  near  Copper  Island,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  49'  45"  N.; 
long.  167°  12'  30"  E.,  56  fathoms,  green  sand,  4  specimens;  station 
4790,  near  Bering  Island,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  48'  35"  N.;  long.  167° 
11'  45"  E.,  64  fathoms,  pebbles,  1  specimen;  station  4791,  near  Bering 
Island,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  36'  15"  N.;  long.  166°  58'  15"  E.,  72  to  76 
fathoms,  rocky,  1  specimen;  station  4792,  near  Bering  Island,  Bering 
Sea,  lat.  54°  36'  15"  N.;  long.  166°  57'  15"  E.,  72  fathoms,  pebbles, 
3  specimens;  station  4982,  Sea  of  Japan,  lat.  43°  N.;  long.  140°  10' 30" 
E.,  390  to  428  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  37.7°,  1 
specimen;  station  4991,  Sea  of  Japan,  lat.  45°  23'  20"  N.;  long.  140° 
48'  E.,  325  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  33°,  2  specimens; 
station  5022,  Okhotsk  Sea,  lat.  48°  35'  30"  N.;  long.  145°  20'  E.,  109 
fathoms,  green  mud,  coarse  black  sand,  bottom  temperature  30.1°,  5 
specimens;  station  5026,  Okhotsk  Sea,  lat.  48°  36'  10"  N.;  long.  145° 
17'  30"  E.,  119  fathoms,  green  mud,  black  sand,  gravel,  bottom  tem- 
perature 30.4°,  1  specimen;  station  5027,  Okhotsk  Sea,  lat.  48°  27' 
30"  N. ;  long.  145°  23'  30"  E.,  188  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  pebbles  ( ?), 
bottom  temperature  32°,  1  specimen;  station  5033,  Yezo  Strait,  lat. 
44°  4'  20"  N.;  long.  145°  28'  E.,  533  fathoms,  green  mud,  fine  black 


58 


BULLETIN    75,    UNITED   STATES    NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 


sand,  bottom  temperature  35.9°,  1  specimen.  Bathymetrical  range, 
56  to  625  fathoms.  Temperature  range,  42.8°  to  30.1°.  One  hun- 
dred and  seven  specimens. 

Type.— Cat.  No.  25629,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  3331. 

Although  this  species  is  superficially  so  near  leptoctenia  that  it 
might  easily  be  mistaken  for  that  species,  the  four  arm  spines  and  the 
peculiar  arm  comb  easily  distinguish  quadrispina  from  that,  and  from 
every  other  near  ally.  The  107  specimens  show  very  little  diversity 
of  structure,  though  a  few  have  minute  disk  spines  as  in  leptoctenia. 
It  is  a  more  northern  form  than  that  species,  as  it  has  not  been 
collected  south  of  53°  55'  30"  N.  on  the  American  coast  nor  south  of 
43°  on  the  Asiatic.  Its  bathymetrical  range  is  also  less,  56  to  625 
fathoms. 

OPHIURA  BATHYBIA,  new  species.a 

Disk  15  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  65  mm.  long.  Disk  covered 
with  a  close  coat  of  numerous  small,  overlapping  scales,  many  of 


FIG.  14.  —OPHIURA  BATHYBIA.    X3.3.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE  ARM 

JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

which  carry  very  slender  spinelets  nearly 'a  millimeter  long;  these 
spinelets  are  easily  rubbed  off,  but  the  places  of  attachment  remain 
more  or  less  clearly  indicated  as  minute  pits.  Radial  shields  some- 
what crescentic,  about  three  times  as  long  as  wide,  widest  at  outer 
end,  where  they  are  most  nearly  in  contact,  though  even  there  dis- 
tinctly separate.  Upper  arm  plates  tetragonal,  at  first  wider  than 
long,  but  soon  becoming  longer  than  wide,  with  distal  margin  more  or 
less  convex;  in  contact  the  whole  length  of  arm.  Interbrachial  spaces 
below  closely  covered  with  scales,  upon  which  minute  spines  are 


a  BaObc,  signifying  deep,  an 
at  which  it  lives. 


,  signifying  life,  in  reference  to  the  unusual  depth 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK.  59 

even  more  numerous  than  on  disk.  Oral  shield  large,  about  as  wide 
as  long,  somewhat  pentagonal,  with  a  broad,  proximal  angle  and  a 
straight  distal  margin.  Adoral  plates  variable,  sometimes  appar- 
ently confined  to  inner  end  of  oral  shield,  but  usually  reaching  the 
first  side  arm  plates;  oral  plates  large,  usually  much  larger  than 
adoral.  Oral  papillae  five  on  each  side,  well  spaced,  outermost  wid- 
est and  truncate,  inner  ones  narrow  and  sharp;  an  infradental  papilla 
is  often  present.  Teeth  about  six,  moderately  wide,  pointed.  Gen- 
ital slits  long,  proximal  end  nearer  center  of  mouth  than  is  distal 
end  of  a  mouth  slit.  Genital  scales  large,  upper,  outer  end  very 
broad;  each  scale  has  a  marginal  fringe  of  very  minute  papillae  which 
become  rapidly  elongated  distally  into  very  slender  spines,  forming  a 
well-marked  arm  comb,  when  viewed  from  above.  Beneath  this  comb 
on  the  basal  arm  plates  is  a  smaller  secondary  comb,  which  extends 
inward  between  ends  of  radial  shields  and  is  often  very  conspicuous. 
Under  arm  plates  much  wider  than  long;  first  two  decidedly  largest 
and  more  or  less  clearly  in  contact;  succeeding  plates  widely  sepa- 
rated, becoming  rapidly  smaller,  oblong-hexagonal,  pentagonal,  or 
tetragonal.  Side  arm  plates  rather  large,  but  low  and  meeting  only 
on  lower  side  of  arm;  each  plate  carries  three  arm  spines,  of  which 
uppermost  is  longest,  but  does  not  equal  joint;  other  two  much 
smaller,  close  together  near  lower  edge  of  plate.  Tentacle  pores  at 
base  of  arm  large  but  quickly  becoming  much  smaller;  oral  and  basal 
arm  pores  guarded  by  about  three  scales  on  each  side;  further  out 
on  arm  there  are  three  and  then  two  scales  on  proximal  side  of 
pore,  and  finally  only  a  single  scale  is  present.  ,  On  oral  pores,  ten- 
tacle scales  long  and  flat,  but  on  basal  arm  pores  they  are  spine-like 
and  out  on  arm  they  are  very  slender  spinelets.  Color  (dried  from 
alcohol),  yellow,  yellowish,  or  white. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  2859,  off  Alaska,  lat.  55°  20'  N. ;  long. 
136°  20'  W.,  1,569  fathoms,  gray  ooze,  bottom  temperature  34.9°, 
1  specimen;  station  3603,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  55°  23'  N.;  long.  170°  31' 
W.,  1,771  fathoms,  blue  ooze,  bottom  temperature  35.1°,  22  speci- 
mens; station  4761,  off  Alaska,  lat.  53°  57'  30"  N.;  long.  159°  31'  W., 
1,973  fathoms,  blue  clay,  bottom  temperature  35°,  258  specimens; 
station  4766,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  52°  38'  N.;  long.  174°  49'  W.,  1,766 
fathoms,  bottom  ?,  bottom  temperature  ?,  18  specimens.  Bathy- 
metrical  range,  1,569  to  1,973  fathoms.  Temperature  range,  35.1° 
to  34.9°.  Two  hundred  and  ninety-nine  specimens. 

Type.— Cat.  No.  25611,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4766. 

This  seems  to  be  a  remarkably  well-characterized  species,  confined 
to  very  deep  water  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Alaskan  peninsula  and  islands. 
Its  nearest  relative  is  probably  leptoctenia,  but  the  form  of  the  radial 
shields,  the  much  smaller  and  more  numerous  disk  scales,  the  numer- 
ous disk  spinelets  and  the  larger  and  better  spaced  oral  papillae  serve 


60  BULLETIN   75,   UNITED  STATES  NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 

to  distinguish  baihybia  easily.  The  numerous  disk  spinelets  and 
pits  (where  spines  have  been  rubbed  off)  are  very  remarkable,  but 
similar  spinelets  sometimes  occur,  as  has  already  been  pointed  out, 
in  leptoctenia,  ljungmani,  and  quadrispina. 

OPHIURA  FLAGELLATA. 

Ophioglypha  flagellata  LYMAN,  Bull.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  vol.  5,  1878,  p.  69. 
Ophiuraflagellata  MEISSNER,  Bronn's  Thierreichs,  vol.  2,  pt.  3,  1901,  p.  925. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  2860,  off  southern  Alaska,  lat.  51° 
23'  N.;  long.  130°  34'  W.,  876  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  tempera- 
ture 36.5°,  1  specimen;  station  3338,  Aleutian  Islands,  lat.  54°  19' 
N.;  long.  159°  40'  W.,  625  fathoms,  green  mud,  sand,  bottom  tem- 
perature 37.3°,  1  specimen;  station  3704,  off  Honshu  Island,  Japan, 
94  to  150  fathoms,  fine  volcanic  sand,  5  specimens;  station  3784, 
off  Aleutian  Islands,  lat.  54°  32'  N.;  long.  178°  31'  E.,  85  fathoms, 
green  mud,  fine  gray  sand,  11  specimens;  station  4767,  Bering  Sea, 
lat.  54°  12'  N.;  long.  179°  7'  30"  E.,  771  fathoms,  green  mud,  bot- 
tom temperature  36.5°,  2  specimens;  station  4768,  Bering  Sea,  lat. 
54°  20'  30"  N.;  long.  179°  9'  30"  E.,  764  fathoms,  green-brown  mud, 
fine  black  sand,  bottom  temperature  37°,  78  specimens;  station  4774, 
Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  33'  N.:  long.  178°  45'  E.,  557  to  584  fathoms, 
green  mud,  black  specks  foraminifera,  48  specimens;  station  4775, 
Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  33'  30"  N.;  long.  178°  44'  E.,  584  fathoms, 
green  mud,  black  specks,  foraminifera,  bottom  temperature  37.2°,  1 
specimen;  station  4916,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  30°  25'  N.;  long.  129°  6' 
40"  E.,  361  fathoms,  gray  sand,  globigerina  broken  shells,  bottom 
temperature  42.7°,  3  specimens;  station  5049,  off  eastern  Japan, 
lat.  38°  12'  N.,  long.  142°  2'  E.,  182  fathoms,  dark  gray  sand,  broken 
shells,  foraminifera,  bottom  temperature  37.8°,  4  specimens;  station 
5079,  off  Omai  Saki,  Japan,  lat.  34°  15'  N.;  long.  138°  E.,  475  to 
505  fathoms,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  39.1°,  1  specimen;  sta- 
tion 5086,  Sagami  Bay,  lat.  35°  8'  15"  N.;  long.  139°  20'  E.,  292 
fathoms,  green  mud,  coarse  black  sand,  bottom  temperature  43.7°, 
3  specimens;  station  5088,  Sagami  Bay,  lat.  35°  11'  25"  N.;  long. 
139°  28'  20"  E.,  369  to  405  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  tempera- 
ture 41.8°,  1  specimen;  station  5091,  Uraga  Strait,  lat.  35°  4'  10" 
N.;  long.  139°  38'  12"  E.,  197  fathoms,  green  mud,  coarse  black 
sand,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  47.6°,  2  specimens;  station  5092, 
Uraga  Strait,  lat.  35°  4'  50"  N.;  long.  139°  38'  18"  E.,  70  fathoms, 
coarse  black  sand,  bottom  temperature  56.3°,  2  specimens;  station 
5093,  Uraga  Strait,  lat.  35°  3'  15"  N.;  long.  139°  37'  42"  E.,  302 
fathoms,  coarse  black  sand,  bottom  temperature  43.9°,  2  specimens; 
station  5094,  Uraga  Strait,  lat.  35°  4'  42"  N.;  long.  139°  38'  20" 
E.,  88  fathoms,  black  sand,  broken  shells,  bottom  temperature  54.8°, 


NOBTH   PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK. 


61 


11  specimens.  Bathymetrical  range,  70  to  876  fathoms.  Tempera- 
ture range,  56.3°  to  36.5°.  One  hundred  and  seventy-six  specimens. 
These  specimens  show  a  most  remarkable  difference  in  the  calcifi- 
cation of  the  disk,  for  while  several  of  them  have  the  disk  covering 
thick,  with  the  scales  hardly  distinguishable,  as  in  Lyman's  type, 
others  have  it  much  thinner  with  the  scales  evident,  while  still 
others  have  a  greater  or  less  part  of  the  disk  covered  by  a  flaked 
skin,  the  calcification  being  confined  to  the  vicinity  of  the  radial 
shields  and  to  the  interradial  margins.  The  gradation  between  the 
two  extremes  is  so  complete  that  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  the 
amount  of  calcification  is  an  individual  and  not  a  specific  or  even  a 
local  matter.  Thus  the  specimen  from  station  5094  has  the  disk 
fully  calcified,  while  of  two 
specimens  from  station 
5093,  one  has  the  center 
of  the  disk  bare  with  ten 
bare  lines  running  out  into 
the  radii  and  interradii, 
and  the  other  has  the  disk 
completely  lacking  calcifi- 
cation save  about  the  mar- 
gin and  the  radial  shields. 
That  it  is  not  a  matter  of 
age  would  seem  to  be  in- 
dicated by  the  fact  that 
the  largest  (disk  diameter, 
26  mm.)  and  one  of  the 
smallest  (disk  diameter, 
9  mm.)  specimens  have 
less  calcification  than  any 
others.  Considerable  di- 

Versity  is  shown  also  in  the  FIG-  15.— OPHIURA  FLAGELLATA,  YOUNG.  X6.  a,  FROM  ABOVK; 
length  Of  the  arm  spines,  6>FROMBEI<™:  c,  sn>E  VIEW  OFTWO  ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

in  the  form  of  the  radial  'shields  and  in  the  number  of  tentacle  scales, 
but  these  differences  do  not  seem  to  be  correlated  in  any  definite  way 
with  the  amount  of  calcification.  The  form  of  the  radial  shields, 
arm  plates,  and  arm  spines,  the  number  of  the  latter  (three)  and  the 
arm  comb  appear  to  be  very  constant  features  in  mature  specimens. 
In  young  individuals  (see  fig.  15)  both  the  upper  and  under  arm 
plates  are  much  longer  and  narrower  than  in  adults,  and  some- 
times the  side  arm  plates  do  not  quite  meet  below,  though  the  under 
arm  plates  are  widely  separated  nevertheless.  The  comb  papillae 
are  much  longer  and  more  slender  than  Lyman's  figure  a  indicates. 

a  Challenger  Oph.,  1881,  pi.  4,  fig.  17. 


62  BULLETIN    75,    UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

The  range  of  this  species  is  remarkable,  extending  as  it  does  geo- 
graphically from  lat.  9°  3'  24"  N.  and  from  long.  79°  37'  E.  (according 
to  Ko3hler)  to  lat.  54°  33'  30"  N.  and  to  long.  130°  34'  W.,  and 
bathymetrically  from  53  fathoms  to  876.  But  Koehlera  has  made  a 
serious  blunder  in  saying  that  the  species  was  taken  by  the  Challenger 
"entre  les  lies  Philippines  et  les  lies  Carolines,"  for  the  only  recorded 
Challenger  station  is  232,  not  far  from  Yokohama,  Japan. 

OPHIURA  IMBECILLIS. 

Ophioglypha  imbecillis  LYMAN,  Bull.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  vol.  5,  1878,  p.  73. 
Ophiura  imbecillis  MEISSNER,  Bronn's  Thierreichs,  vol.  2,  pt.  3,  1901,  p.  925. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  4918,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  30°  22'  N.; 
long.  129°  8'  30"  E.,  361  fathoms,  gray  sand,  globigerina;  broken 
shells,  bottom  temperature  42.7°,  1  specimen;  station  4957,  off 
Eastern  Japan,  lat.  32°  36'  N.;  long.  132°  23'  E.,  437  fathoms,  green- 
brown  mud,  fine  gray  sand,  foraminifera,  bottom  temperature  39.8°, 
1  specimen;  station  4968,  off  Japan,  lat.  33°  24'  50"  N.;  long.  135° 
38'  40"  E.,  253  fathoms,  dark  gray  sand,  brown  mud,  broken  shells, 
bottom  temperature  45.7°,  1  specimen;  station  5088,  Sagami  Bay, 
lat.  35°  11'  25"  N.;  long.  139°  28'  20"  E.,  369  to  405  fathoms,  green 
mud,  bottom  temperature  41.8°,  7  specimens;  station  5093,  Uraga 
Strait,  lat.  35°  3'  15"  N.;  long.  139°  37'  42"  E.,  302  fathoms,  coarse 
black  sand,  bottom  temperature  43.9°,  4  specimens.  Bathymetrical 
range,  253  to  437  fathoms.  Temperature  range,  45.7°  to  39.8°. 
Fourteen  specimens. 

These  specimens,  which  vary  in  disk  diameter  from  3J  to  7  mm.,  are 
pale  gray  in  color  and  show  remarkably  little  diversity  of  structure. 

OPHIURA  IRRORATA. 

Ophioglypha  irrorata  LYMAN,  Bull.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  vol.  5,  1878,  p.  73. 
Ophioglypha  orbiculata  LYMAN,  Bull.  Mus.  Comp.   Zool.,  vol.  5,  1878,  p.  74. 
Ophioglypha  grandis  VERRILL,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  vol.  17,  1894,  p.  293. 
Ophioglypha tumulosa LUTKEN and  MORTENSEN,  Mem.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool., vol.23, 

1897,  p.  120. 

Ophioglypha  involuta  KCEHLER,  Ann.  Sci.  Nat.  Zool.  (8),  vol.  4,  1897,  p.  295. 
Ophiura  irrorata  MEISSNER,  Bronn's  Thierreichs,  vol.  2,  pt.  3,  1901,  p.  925. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  3603,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  55°  23'  N. ; 
long.  170°  31'  W.,  1,771  fathoms,  brown  ooze,  bottom  temperature 
35.1°,  2  specimens;  station  3783,  40  miles  off  Copper  Island,  1,567 
fathoms,  gray  volcanic  sand,  green  mud,  1  specimen;  station  4956, 
Inland  Sea,  Japan,  lat.  32°  32'  N.;  long.  132°  25'  E.,  720  fathoms, 
green-brown  mud,  fine  gray  sand,  foraminifera,  bottom  temperature 
37.5°,  1  specimen;  station  4971,  off  eastern  Japan,  lat.  33°  23'  30"  N. ; 
long.  135°  34'  E.,  649  fathoms,  brown-green  mud,  foraminifera, 
bottom  temperature  38.1°,  2  specimens;  station  4979,  off  Japan, 

a  Investigator,  Deep  Sea  Oph.,  1899,  p.  19. 


NOBTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK.          63 

lat.  33°  53'  N.;  long.  137°  42'  E.,  943  fathoms,  brown  mud,  fine  sand, 
foraminifera,  bottom  temperature  36.4°,  4  specimens;  station  5030, 
Okhotsk  Sea,  lat.  46°  29'  30"  N.;  long.  145°  46'  E.,  1,800  fathoms, 
brown  mud,  bottom  temperature?,  2  specimens;  station  5083,  off 
Omai  Saki light,  lat.  34°  4'  20"  N. ;  long.  137°  57'  30"  E.,  624  fathoms, 
fine  gray  sand,  globigerina,  bottom  temperature  38.1°,  2  specimens; 
station  5084,  off  Omai  Saki  light,  lat.  34°  N.;  long.  137°  49'  40"_E., 
918  fathoms,  green  mud,  fine  sand,  globigerina,  bottom  temperature 
36.8°,  2  specimens.  Bathymetrical  range,  624  to  1,800  fathoms. 
Temperature  range,  38.1°  to  35.1°.  Sixteen  specimens. 

This  excellent  series  of  specimens,  ranging  in  size  from  a  disk  diame- 
ter of  7  mm.  to  one  of  33  mm.,  has  been  carefully  compared  with  the 
Blake  specimens  of  irrorata  from  the  Caribbean  Sea  and  the  Challenger 
specimens  of  irrorata  from  off  the  coast  of  Australia  and  the  coast  of 
Portugal,  with  a  cotype  of  orbiculata  from  Japan,  with  a  cotype  of 
grandis  from  Albatross  station  2573,  and  with  specimens  of  tumulosa 
from  the  Albatross  collection  in  the  Panamic  deep-water  region,  and 
I  am  fully  satisfied  that  these  four  nominal  species  are  in  reality  one 
and  the  same.  Moreover,  I  see  no  character  by  which  involuta  can 
be  distinguished,  and  I  have  accordingly  included  that  name  as  a 
synonym.  It  seems,  therefore,  that  in  irrorata  we  have  a  cosmopolitan 
deep-water  species,  like  Ophiornusium  lymani,  and  it  is  of  some  interest 
to  note  here  the  various  stations  at  which  it  has  been  taken:  Off 
New  England,  off  Portugal,  in  the  West  Indies,  southeast  of  the  Cape 
of  Good  Hope,  in  the  Bay  of  Bengal,  off  New  South  Wales,  off  Japan,  in 
Bering  Sea,  in  the  Gulf  of  California,  in  the  Gulf  of  Panama,  and 
among  the  Galapagos  Islands.  Except  the  very  young  specimens 
taken  by  the  Challenger  off  New  South  Wales,  and  regarding  the 
identification  of  which  some  doubt  might  reasonably  be  raised,  speci- 
mens have  not  been  taken  in  less  than  600  fathoms,  and  the  species 
ranges  from  that  depth  to  over  2,200  fathoms.  In  spite  of  its  exten- 
sive geographical  and  bathymetrical  range,  the  species  is  not  remark- 
ably variable,  the  differences  with  which  the  various  names  have  been 
associated  being  mainly  due  to  size  or  age.  In  the  young,  the  arm 
spines  even  at  the  base  of  the  arm  are  about  equally  spaced,  but  in 
larger  specimens  the  upper  one  becomes  widely  separated  from  the 
other  two.  If,  however,  we  follow  the  arm  of  an  adult  from  base 
to  tip,  we  find  the  spines  gradually  approaching  each  other,  so  that 
at  the  tip  of  the  arm  in  a  big  specimen  the  arm  spines  correspond  to 
those  at  the  base  of  the  arm  in  a  young  specimen,  an  interesting  illus- 
tration of  a  "localized  stage."  In  all  adult  specimens,  however,  the 
middle  arm  spine  at  the  tip  of  the  arm  terminates,  as  Lyman  pointed 
out,  in  a  hook.  The  size  of  the  arm  spines  differs  greatly  in  different 
individuals,  but  these  differences  do  not  seem  to  be  correlated  with 
size,  or  locality,  or  depth.  The  shape  of  the  oral  shields  and  of  the 


64 


BULLETIN    75,    UNITED    STATES    NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 


basal  under  arm  plates  is  very  variable,  within  certain  limits;  the 
oral  shield  is  usually  more  or  less  pentagonal  and  longer  than  wide, 
but  it  may  be  rounded  triangular  or  even  oval,  and  it  is  often  wider 
than  long;  the  second  under  arm  plate  is  usually  squarish  but  it 
may  be  much  longer  than  wide  or  often  wider  than  long ;  the  number 
of  basal  under  arm  plates  which  are  in  contact  with  each  other  varies 
greatly  with  age.  The  arm  comb,  the  upper  arm  plates,  and  the 
radial  shields  do  not  show  very  much  diversity,  but  the  disk  scales 
are  variable  and  the  distinctness  of  the  primary  plates  differs  greatly 
in  different  individuals. 

OPHIURA  CLASTA,  new  species." 

Disk  15  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  40  mm.  long.     Disk  cov- 
ered with  a  thick  skin,  in  or  upon  which  are  numerous  more  or  less 

circular  plates  of  variable  size  ; 
these  plates  do  not  overlap, 
and  in  most  cases  are  scarcely 
in  contact  with  each  other; 
one  at  the  margin  of  each  in- 
terradius  is  very  much  larger 
than  the  rest  and  nearly  or 
quite  fills  the  space  between 
two  adjoining  pairs  of  radial 
shields.  Latter,  rounded, 
about  as  wide  as  long,  more 
or  less  lightly  in  contact,  at 
least  distally.  First,  and 
sometimes  second,  upper  arm 
plate  more  or  less  tetragonal ; 
remainder  small,  triangular, 
and  widely  separated  from 
each  other;  all  are  more  or 

FIG.  lf,-OPmuRA  CLASTA.    X3.5.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,     }6SS     Completely     broken     UP 
'FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO  ARM  JOINTS  NEAR     into    irregular    fragments,   SO 

that  in  many  cases  the  orig- 
inal form  of  the  plate  can  scarcely  be  distinguished.  Interbrachial 
spaces  below  covered  by  the  huge  oral  shield,  an  accessory  shield,  the 
two  genital  plates,  and  about  five  marginal  plates.  Oral  shields  rounded 
triangular  or  pentagonal,  about  as  wide  as  long.  Adoral  plates  vari- 
able in  shape  according  to  the  position  of  the  oral  tentacle  pore;  when 
this  is  far  back  the  adoral  plate  appears  to  be  short  and  wide  (as  in 
the  figure) ,  but  when  the  pore  is  a  little  nearer  the  mouth  the  adoral 
plate  is  long  and  narrow;  oral  plates  well  developed  and  quite  dis- 
tinct. Oral  papillae  squarish,  crowded,  five  or  six  on  each  side, 

a  Khjuj-cof,  signifying  broken  in  pieces,  in   reference  to  the  condition  of  the  upper 
arm  plates. 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK.          65 

outermost  widest;  an  unpaired  infradental  papilla  is  often  present. 
Genital  slits  rather  short.  Genital  scales  large,  broad  distally,  but 
completely  overshadowed  by  radial  shields,  so  that  they  are  not  visible 
from  above;  each  scale  carries  a  few  irregular  marginal  papillae  but 
these  are  so  imperfectly  developed  that  there  is  no  arm  comb  in  any 
of  the  specimens;  some  small,  irregular  scales  just  distal  to  the  radial 
shields  give  the  superficial  appearance  of  a  comb  in  some  cases,  but 
these  have  no  connection  with  the  genital  scales.  First  under  arm 
plate  rounded  triangular;  succeeding  plates  pentagonal,  soon  becom- 
ing triangular;  all  are  much  wider  than  long,  and  are  distinctly  sepa- 
rated from  each  other.  Side  arm  plates  large,  meeting  broadly  both 
above  and  below;  each  plate  carries  four  minute  arm  spines,  one  of 
which  is  high  up  on  the  plate,  well  separated  from  the  other  three, 
which  are  very  low  down  and  close  together ;  the  middle  one  of  these 
three  is  usually  the  longest  spine  but  scarcely  equals  half  the  joint; 
the  lowest  one  might  easily  be  mistaken  for  a  tentacle  scale.  Tentacle 
pores  on  arm  minute  and  confined  to  the  three  or  four  basal  joints; 
each  one  is  protected  by  several  minute  scales.  Oral  pore  not  open- 
ing into  mouth  slit,  protected  by  three  or  four  rounded  scales  on  each 
side.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol) ;  scales  and  plates  above  clay  color 
or  brown,  the  skin  between  them  decidedly  darker;  beneath,  uniform 
dirty  whitish,  or  brown. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  4980,  off  eastern  Japan,  lat.  34°  9'  N.; 
long.  137°  55'  E.,  507  fathoms,  brown  mud,  fine  sand,  foraminifera, 
bottom  temperature  39°,  4  specimens;  station  5083,  off  Omai  Saki 
light,  lat.  34°  4'  20"  N.;  long.  137°  57'  30"  E.,  624  fathoms,  fine 
gray  sand,  globigerina,  bottom  temperature  38.1°,  16  specimens; 
station  5084,  off  Omai  Saki  light,  lat.  34°  N.;  long.  137°  49'  40"  E., 
918  fathoms,  green  mud,  fine  sand,  globigerina,  bottom  temperature 
36.8°,  2  specimens.  Bathymetrical  range,  507  to  918  fathoms. 
Temperature  range,  39°  to  36°  8'.  Twenty-two  specimens. 

Type.— Cat.  No.  25547,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  5084. 

Although  this  species  bears  some  resemblance  dorsally  to  Ophio- 
glypha  divisa  Ltitken  and  Mortensen,  the  oral  side  is  so  different  there 
can  be  no  confusion  between  the  two.  I  do  not  think  there  is  any 
other  species  more  nearly  related  to  this  Japanese  novelty,  unless  it 
be  0.  confragosa  Lyman,  from  off  La  Plata,  but  the  upper  arm  plates 
of  the  latter  are  alone  sufficient  to  distinguish  the  two. 

OPHIURA  MONOST<ECHA,  new  species.a 

Disk  10  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  35  mm.  long.  Disk  covered 
with  a  smooth  coat  of  scales,  among  which  the  six  primary  plates, 
another  plate  in  each  radius,  and  two  in  each  interradius,  one  of 

a  Mdvoe,  signifying  one,  single,  and  arot%oe ,  signifying  a  row,  line,  in  reference  to  the 
peculiar  arm  comb. 

34916°— Bull.  75—11 5 


66 


BULLETIN    75,    UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 


which  is  marginal,  can  be  distinguished  with  more  or  less  ease. 
Radial  shields  about  as  wide  as  long,  more  or  less  united  distally;  in 
the  type-specimen,  several  rounded  knobs  or  papilla  are  borne  on 
the  inner  distal  corners  of  the  plates  (some  times  also  on  the  distal 
margin)  and  in  fig.  17 a  these  appear  like  three  small  plates  separat- 
ing the  radial  shields  distally.  Basal  upper  arm  plates  tetragonal, 
but  rapidly  becoming  triangular  as  they  pass  outward ;  in  the  type, 
the  first  seven  to  nine  are  in  contact  but  in  others  (smaller  speci- 
mens) only  the  first  two  or  three.  Interbrachial  spaces  below  covered 
by  twelve  to  twenty  plates  of  which  the  marginal  are  largest.  Oral 
shields  pentagonal,  with  rounded  corners,  about  as  wide  as  long. 

Adoral  plates  long  and  nar- 
row; oral  plates  considerably 
broader  than  adoral  but  not 
so  long.  'Oral  papillae  about 
five  or  six  on  a  side ;  those  at 
apex  of  jaw  are  pointed,  but 
outer  ones  are  truncate  and 
may  be  wide  and  squarish. 
Genital  slits  long  and  genital 
scales  wide;  each  scale  has 
a  marginal  series  of  small, 
close-set,  truncate  papillae, 
which  are  more  elongated  on 
upper  side  of  arm,  where  the 
two  series  (of  opposite  sides 
of  arm)  meet  and  form  a 
single  unbroken  series  across 
base  of  arm.  First  under 
arm  plate  rounded  diamond 

FIG.  17.— OPHIURA  MONOSTCECHA.    X5.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;        11  i          i 

b,  FROM  BELOW;   c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE  ARM  JOINTS     Shaped;       Second       plate 


NEAR  DISK. 


squarish;  succeeding  plates 
pentagonal,  becoming  triangular ;  all  these  plates  are  wider  than  long, 
and  except  first  two  are  nearly  or  quite  separate  from  each  other. 
Side  arm  plates  large,  meeting  above  and  below,  except  at  base  of 
arm;  each  plate  carries  three  subequal,  well-spaced,  peg-like  arm 
spines,  less  than  half  as  long  as  joint.  Oral  tentacle  pores  may  or 
may  not  open  into  mouth  slit;  in  the  type  they  do;  they  are  pro- 
tected by  five  or  six  scales  on  each  side.  There  seem  to  be  no 
tentacle  pores  on  arm  distal  to  first  three  or  four  joints,  and  these 
are  guarded  by  three  and  two  scales  or  by  two  and  one;  but  through- 
out whole  length  of  arm,  the  lowest  arm  spine  is  accompanied  by 
a  minute  peg-like  tentacle  scale  crowded  close  against  it.  Color 
(dried  from  alcohol),  pale  gray  or  whitish. 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM — CLARK.          67 

Localities. — Albatross  station  3698,  off  Honshu  Island,  Japan,  153 
fathoms,  green  mud,  volcanic  ashes,  sand,  2  specimens;  station  4957, 
Inland  Sea,  lat.  32°  36'  N,;  long.  132°  23'  E.,  437  fathoms,  green- 
brown  mud,  fine  gray  sand,  foraminifera,  bottom  temperature  39.8°, 
4  specimens;  station  4959,  Inland  Sea,  lat.  32°  36'  30"  N.;  long, 
132°  23'  20"  E.,  405  to  578  fathoms,  green-brown  mud,  fine  gray 
sand,  foraminifera,  1  specimen;  station  5057,  Suruga  Gulf,  lat:  34° 
58'  40"  N.;  long.  138°  34'  E.,  270  fathoms,  gray  mud,  bottom  tem- 
perature 44.8°,  1  specimen.  Bathymetrical  range,  153  to  578  fath- 
oms. Temperature  range,  44.8°  to  39.8°.  Eight  specimens. 

Type.— Cut.  No.  25545,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  3698. 

This  species  is  easily  distinguished  by  its  unique  arm  comb.  While 
OpJiioglypJia  clemens  Koehler  and  0.  jejuna  Lyman  also  have  a  con- 
tinuous arm  comb,  the  disk  covering  of  the  former  species  and  the 
arm  joints,  arm  spines,  and  upper  arm  plates  of  the  latter  are  so 
different  from  what  is  found  in  monostcecha  that  the  three  species 
can  not  possibly  be  confused.  In  the  type  and  the  specimen  from 
station  5057  the  side  arm  plates  are  minutely  tuberculated,  while  in 
the  other  specimens  they  are  perfectly  smooth;  it  is  these  latter  speci- 
mens also  which  have  the  oral  tentacle  pores  separated  from  the 
mouth  slits,  and  the  oral  papillae  very  short,  wide,  and  truncate. 
These  differences  can  hardly  be  magnified,  however,  into  distinctions 
of  any  systematic  importance. 

OPHIURA  CALYPTOLEPIS,  new  species.o 

Disk  13  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  35  to  40  mm.  long.  Disk 
covered  by  rather  coarse  thick  scales,  which  are  more  or  less  con- 
cealed by  a  delicate,  very  finely  granular  skin;  a  large  interradial 
marginal  scale  is  prominent,  and  in  the  youngest  specimen  the  pri- 
mary plates  can  easily  be  made  out.  Radial  shields  somewhat 
swollen,  a  little  longer  than  wide,  distinctly  separated  from  each  other. 
Basal  upper  arm  plates  oblong,  much  wider  than  long,  followed  by 
pentagonal  or  tetragonal  plates,  which  rapidly  become  triangular 
with  a  sharp,  proximal  angle;  the  first  five  to  nine  in  contact  with 
each  other.  Interbrachial  spaces  below  covered  by  partly  concealed 
plates,  like  those  of  the  disk.  Oral  shields  wider  than  long  or  longer 
than  wide,  somewhat  pentangular,  the  lateral  margins  more  or  less 
concave.  Adoral  plates  long  and  narrow;  oral  plates  shorter  and 
wider.  Oral  papillae,  five  or  six  on  each  side,  wide  and  truncate  dis- 
tally,  but  becoming  longer  and  pointed  at  apex  of  jaw.  Genital  slits 
not  conspicuous.  Genital  scales  hidden  by  scaling  of  interbrachial 
areas,  their  marginal  papillae  few  and  small,  so  that  no  arm  comb  or 
at  most  only  a  small  and  inconspicuous  one  is  visible  from  above. 

a  KalimT6e,  signifying  covered,  and  fatfe,  signifying  scale,  in  reference  to  the  more  or 
less  concealed  scaling  of  the  disk. 


68  BULLETIN    75,    UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

First  under  arm  plate  hexagonal,  large,  much  wider  than  long;  next 
two  about  as  long  as  wide,  somewhat  pentagonal;  succeeding  ones 
rounded  pentagonal  or  oblong,  very  much  wider  than  long;  all  but 
first  three  or  four  well  separated  from  each  other.  Side  arm  plates 
somewhat  swollen,  nearly  or  quite  in  contact  both  above  and  below 
from  base  to  tip  of  arm;  each  plate  carries  six,  or  often  seven,  short, 
peg-like  arm  spines,  middle  ones  usually  longest,  though  not  notice- 
ably longer  than  lowest;  none  is  half  as  long  as  a  joint.  Oral  tentacle 
pores  rather  large,  opening  into  mouth  slit,  with  four  or  five  scales 
on  each  side.  Tentacle  pores  of  arm  confined  to  first  four  or  five 
joints,  but  a  single,  minute  tentacle  scale  extends  far  out  on  arm, 
lying  close  against  lowest  arm  spine.  There  are  several  tentacle 
scales  on  each  of  the  basal  pores,  but  they  can  be  distinguished  only 
with  difficulty  from  the  little  arm  spines.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol), 
nearly  white,  though  with  more  or  less  of  a  yellow  tinge. 


FIG.  18. — OPHIURA  CALYPTOLKPIS.    X4.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  b,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO  ARM 

JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  3698,  off  Manazuru  Zaki,  Honshu, 
Japan,  153  fathoms,  green  mud,  volcanic  ashes,  sand,  2  specimens; 
station  5088,  Sagami  Bay,  lat.  35°  11'  25"  N.;  long.  139°  28'  20"  E., 
369  to  405  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  41.8°,  1  speci- 
men; station  5091,  Uraga  Strait,  lat.  35°  4'  10"  N.;  long.  139°  38' 
12"  E.,  197  fathoms,  green  mud,  coarse  black  sand,  pebbles,  bottom 
temperature,  47.8°,  21  specimens;  station  5092,  Uraga  Strait,  lat. 
35°  4'  50"  N.;  long.  139°  38'  18"  E.,  70  fathoms,  coarse  black  sand, 
bottom  temperature  56.3°,  1  specimen.  Bathymetrical  range,  70  to 
405  fathoms.  Temperature  range,  56.3°  to  41.8°.  Twenty-five 
specimens. 

Type.—  Cat.  No.  25635,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  3698. 

There  can  be  no  doubt  that  this  species  is  closely  allied  to  0.  albata 
Lyman,  which  was  collected  by  the  Challenger  near  Japan.  I  have 
not  seen  that  species,  but  the  description  and  figures  of  the  upper 
arm  plates  are  entirely  different  from  what  calyptolepis  shows,  and 
moreover  no  reference  is  made  to  any  concealment  of  the  disk  scales 
by  a  granular  skin  in  albata.  It  has  therefore  seemed  best  to  me  to 
keep  the  two  species  separate,  at  least  for  the  present. 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK  69 

OPHIURA  CRYPTOLEPIS,  new  species.a 

Disk  20  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  55  mm.  long.  Disk  com- 
pletely covered  by  a  thick  granular  skin,  through  which,  in  adults, 
not  even  radial  shields  can  be  seen ;  in  many  smaller  specimens  out- 
lines of  radial  shields  and  even  of  disk  scales  can  be  more  or  less  easily 
distinguished.  Upper  arm  plates  small,  tetragonal,  all  but  first  one 
or  two  much  longer  than  wide,  with  a  narrow,  proximal,  and  a  strongly 
convex,  distal  margin;  on  basal  third  or  half  of  arm  they  are  in  con- 
tact with  each  other,  but  distally  they  become  triangular  and  separate. 
Interbrachial  spaces  below  like  disk  above.  Oral  shields  and  all 
mouth  parts,  under  arm  plates,  tentacle  pores,  and  tentacle  scales, 
essentially  as  in  calyptolepis,  the  differences  being  trivial  and  of  no 
systematic  importance;  tentacle  pores  extend  out  six  joints  on  arm, 
and  first  under  arm  plate  is  relatively  smaller.  Arm  comb  well 
developed,  forming  a  conspicuous  marginal  fringe  just  distal  to  radial 


FIG.  19.—  OPHIURA  CRYPTOLEPIS.    X2.5.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  b,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO  ARM 

JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

shields;  the  two  parts  do  not  unite  into  a  single  comb.  Side  arm 
plates  large,  meeting  below  but  not  above  at  base  of  arm  ;  each  plate 
carries  seven  to  nine  arm  spines,  lowest  very  distinctly  largest  and 
may  equal  or  exceed  half  a  joint;  in  some  cases,  especially  small 
specimens,  it  appears  to  be  next  to  lowest  spine,  which  is  longest,  but 
in  fact,  what  looks  like  lowest  spine  is  tentacle  scale.  Color  (dried 
from  alcohol)  ,  yellow,  yellowish,  cream  color  or  nearly  white  ;  some  of 
the  young  specimens  are  dull  purplish  gray. 

Localities.—  Albatross  station  2858,  off  Alaska,  lat.  58°  17'  N.; 
long.  148°  36'  W.,  230  fathoms,  blue  mud,  gravel,  bottom  tempera- 
ture 39.8°,  1  specimen;  station  3070,  off  Washington,  lat.  47°  29'  30" 
N.;  long.  125°  43'  W.,  636  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature 
37.9°,  2  specimens;  station  3332,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  2'  50"  N.;  long. 
166°  45'  W.,  406  fathoms,  rocky,  sand,  bottom  temperature  37.8°?, 
1  specimen;  station  3337,  off  Alaskan  peninsula,  lat.  53°  55'  30"  N.; 
long.  163°  26'  W.,  280  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature 


e,  signifying  hidden,  and  Xmk  ,  signifying  scale,  in  reference  to  the  com- 
pletely concealed  disk  scales. 


70  BULLETIN   75,    UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

39.  3°,  11  specimens;  station  3338,  off  Alaskan  peninsula,  lat.  54°  19' 
N.;  long.  159°  40'  W.,  625  fathoms,  green  mud,  sand,  bottom  tem- 
perature 37.3°,  4  specimens;  station  3343,  off  Washington,  lat.  47° 
40'  40"  N.;  long.  125°  20'  W.,  516  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  tem- 
perature 38.2°,  3  specimens;  station  4781,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  52°  14'  30" 
N.;  long.  174°  13'  E.,  482  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  pebbles,  bottom 
temperature  38.6°,  3  specimens;  station  5079,  off  Omai  Saki  Light, 
Japan,  lat.  34°  15'  N.;  long.  138°  E.,  475  to  505  fathoms,  pebbles,  bot- 
tom temperature  39.1°,  3  specimens;  station  5080,  off  Omai  Saki 
Light,  Japan,  lat.  34°  10'  30"  N.;  long.  138°  40'  E.,  505  fathoms,  fine 
gray  sand,  globigerina,  bottom  temperature,  38.7°,  1  specimen.  Bathy- 
metrical  range,  230  to  636  fathoms.  Temperature  range,  39.8°  to 
37.3°.  Twenty-nine  specimens. 

Type.—  Cat.  No.  25710,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  3337. 

This  species  is  very  near  the  preceding  but  seems  to  be  constantly 
distinct.  The  concealment  of  the  disk  scales  is  more  a  difference  of 
degree  than  of  kind,  but  the  conspicuous  arm  comb  and  the  large 
lowest  arm  spine  in  cryptolepis  provide  very  convenient  and  reliable 
means  of  distinguishing  this  species  from  calyptolepis.  The  speci- 
mens before  me  range,  in  diameter  of  disk,  from  4  to  20  mm. 

OPHIURA  NODOSA. 

Ophiura  nodosa  LUTKEN,  Vid.  Medd.  for  1854,  1855,  p.  100. 
Localities.  —  Albatross  station  3250,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  58°  11'  30"  N.; 


long.  163°  2'  45"  W.,  17£  fathoms,  gray  sand,  bottom  temperature 
46.2°,  3  specimens;  station  3251,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  57°  35'  50"  N.  ;  long. 
164°  5'  W.,  25J  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  37.5°, 
12  specimens;  station  3252,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  57°  22'  20"  N.;  long. 
164°  24'  40"  W.,  29J  fathoms,  black  mud,  bottom  temperature  44.8°, 
1  specimen;  station  3269,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  55°  19'  N.  ;  long.  163°  4'  30" 
W.,  16  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  black  specks,  bottom  temperature 
42.3°,  1  specimen;  station  3297,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  57°  38'  N.;  long. 
159°  7'  30"  W.,  26  fathoms,  gray  sand','  bottom  temperature  41.5°,  1 
specimen;  station  3298,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  57°  38'  30"  N.;  long.  158° 
22'  30"  W.,  20  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  43.8°, 
18  specimens;  station  3304,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  58°  2'  30"  N.;  long.  161° 
13'  45"  W.,  28  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  1  specimen;  station  3305, 
Bering  Sea,  lat.  57°  51'  30"  N.;  long.  161°  40'  W.,  23  fathoms,  fine 
gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  41.8°,  23  specimens;  station  3504, 
Bering  Sea,  lat.  56°  57'  N.;  long.  169°  27'  W.,  34  fathoms,  fine  gray 
sand,  black  specks,  bottom  temperature  37.8°,  1  specimen;  station 
3507,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  57°  43'  N.;  long.  164°  42'  W.,  31  fathoms,  fine 
gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  37.5°,  35  specimens;  station  3675,  loc.  ?, 
no  record  available,  6  specimens;  station  5005,  off  Saghalin,  lat.  46° 
4'  40"  N.  ;  long.  142°  27'  30"  E.,  42  fathoms,  green  mud,  fine  gray  sand, 


NORTH   PACIFIC    OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM — CLARK.          71 

bottom  temperature  30.7°  ?,  78  specimens;  station  5006,  off  Saghalin, 
lat.  46°  4'  N. ;  long.  142°  29'  E.,  42  to  43  fathoms,  green  mud,  fine  gray 
sand,  bottom  temperature  36.1°,  7  specimens;  station  5007,  off 
Saghalin,  lat.  46°  3'  N. ;  long.  142°  31'  E.,  42  fathoms,  green  mud,  fine 
gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  34.8°,  9  specimens;  station  5008,  off 
Saghalin,  lat.  46°  7'  50"  N.;  long.  142°  37'  20"  E.,  40  fathoms,  green 
mud,  fine  gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  33.9,  9  specimens;  station 
5011,  off  Saghalin,  lat.  46°  18' 30"  N.;long.  143°  5' 40"  E.,  42  fathoms, 
green  mud,  bottom  temperature  33.9°,  1  specimen;  station  5020,  off 
Saghalin,  lat.  48°  32'  45"  N.;  long.  145°  7'  30"  E.,  73  fathoms, 
green  mud,  sand,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  30.9°,  4  specimens; 
station  5021,  Okhotsk  Sea,  lat.  48°  32'  30"  N.;long.  145°  8'  45"  E., 
73  fathoms,  green  mud,  sand,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  30. 9°,  1 
specimen;  station  5022,  Okhotsk  Sea,  lat.  48°  35'  30"  N.;  long.  145° 
20'  E.,  109  fathoms,  green  mud,  coarse  black  sand,  bottom  tempera- 
ture 30.1°,  2  specimens;  station  5023,  Okhotsk  Sea,  lat.  48°  43'  30" 
N. ;  long.  145°  03'  E.,  75  fathoms,  sand,  pebbles,  bottom  tempera- 
ture 30.9°,  3  specimens;  station  5024,  off  Saghalin,  lat.  48°  43'  30" 
N.;  long.  144°  56'  45"  E.,  52  fathoms,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature 
31.7°,  2  specimens;  lat.  60°  22'  N.;  long.  168°  45'  W.,  9  speci- 
mens; lat.  62°  15'  N.;  long.  167°  40'  W.,  20  fathoms,  2  specimens; 
lat.  62°  54'  N.;  long.  166°  38'  W.,  22  fathoms,  105  specimens;  lat. 
63°  37'  N.;  long.  165°  19'  W.,  12  fathoms,  69  specimens;  lat.  64° 
12'  N.;  long.  162°  52'  W.,  17  fathoms,  1  specimen;  lat.  66°  45'  N.; 
long.  166°  35'  W.,  10  specimens;  Arctic  cruise  of  the  Corwin,  35  speci- 
mens; Dall's  Alaska  collection,  26  specimens;  Arctic  Ocean,  210  speci- 
mens; off  Cape  Sabine,  Alaska,  62  specimens;  off  Icy  Cape,  Alaska, 
36  specimens;  near  coal  station,  Unga,  Aleutians,  45  specimens;  off 
Point  Barrow,  Alaska,  15  fathoms,  mud,  1  specimen;  10  miles  west 
of  Point  Franklin,  Alaska,  13 J  fathoms,  29  specimens;  Sitka  Harbor, 
Alaska,  10  to  25  fathoms,  2  very  small  specimens;  Point  Belcher, 
Alaska,  9  fathoms,  sand,  74  specimens;  mouth  of  Yukon  River, 
Alaska,  9  specimens;  Port  Clarence,  Alaska,  4  specimens;  Point 
Hope,  Alaska,  25  fathoms,  4  specimens;  12  miles  east  of  King's 
Island,  Bering  Strait,  9  specimens;  Plover  Bay,  Siberia,  8  to  20 
fathoms,  mud,  90  specimens;  Indian  Point,  Bering  Strait,  17  fathoms, 
5  specimens;  East  Cape,  Siberia,  3  specimens;  Cape  Etolin,  Nuniak 
Island,  Alaska,  2  specimens;  Port  Levasheff,  Alaska,  6  specimens; 
locality  ?,  1  specimen.  Bathy metrical  range,  8  to  109  fathoms.  Tem- 
perature range  46.2°  to  30.1°.  One  thousand  and  sixty-seven 
specimens. 

This  large  series  of  specimens  is  of  interest  not  merely  because  it 
extends  the  bathymetric  range  of  the  species  to  over  100  fathoms  and 
the  geographic  range  on  the  Asiatic  coast  south  to  the  lower  end  of 
Saghalin,  but  because  it  shows  the  growth  changes  and  the  great 


72  BULLETIN   75,    UNITED  STATES  NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 

range  of  variability  of  the  species.  The  smallest  specimen  has  the 
diameter  of  the  disk  rather  less  than  2  mm.  with  the  primary  plates 
covering  nearly  all  of  the  upper  side;  the  radial  shields  and  the  large 
interradial  marginal  plates  are  very  small  in  comparison.  The  upper 
arm  plates  are  nearly  circular  and  much  swollen,  and  the  under  arm 
plates  are  longer  than  wide,  but  little  swollen.  The  side  arm  plates 
are  decidedly  swollen,  and  carry  two  short,  sharp,  well-spaced  arm 
spines.  The  oral  shields  occupy  most  of  the  inter brachial  spaces 
below  and  the  tentacle  pores  have  only  one  or  two  tentacle  scales  each. 
The  largest  specimen  has  the  disk  17  mm.  in  diameter  and  covered 
by  about  150  scales  among  which  the  primary  plates  are  not  conspicu- 


PIG.  20.— OPHIUEA  NODOSA;  VARIETY  FKOM  ICY  CAPE,  ALASKA.    X6.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  FROM  BELOW; 

C,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  BASE   OF  ARM. 

ous.  The  upper  arm  plates  are  less  swollen,  hexagonal  or  pentagonal, 
the  basal  ones  much  wider  than  long;  the  basal  under  arm  plates  are 
also  wider  than  long,  the  first  one  nearly  triangular.  The  side  arm 
plates  are  very  high  and  little  swollen ;  they  carry  from  three  to  six  arm 
spines,  of  which  two  are  usually  larger  than  the  others  and  of  some- 
what different  shape.  The  tentacle  scales  have  become  very  numer- 
ous and  there  may  be  as  many  as  eleven  (seven  proximal  and  four 
distal)  on  a  pore.  Even  far  out  on  the  arm  there  are  three  or  four 
scales  borne  on  each  side  arm  plate,  at  the  proximal  edge  of  the  pore. 
The  chief  variations  shown  by  the  different  specimens  are  found  in  the 
number  and  arrangement  of  the  disk  scales,  the  amount  of  swelling 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK.          73 

of  the  arm  plates,  the  shape  of  the  oral  shields,  and  particularly  the 
number  and  arrangement  of  the  arm  spines.  Usually  two  arm  spines, 
larger  than  the  others  and  of  somewhat  different  shape,  can  be  quite 
easily  distinguished,  one  next  to  the  tentacle  scales,  the  other  high  up 
on  the  arm,  but  either  one  or  both  of  these  may  be  wanting  or  at  best 
no  larger  than  the  adjoining  spinelets.  In  some  specimens  the  con- 
trast between  these  two  spines  and  those  which  accompany  them, 
is  very  marked,  the  latter  being  flat,  thin  and  scale-like,  while  in  other 
specimens  all  the  arm  spines  are  reduced  to  minute,  rounded  papillae. 
It  is  very  often  difficult  to  distinguish  sharply  between  the  tentacle 
scales  and  the  lowest  arm  spines.  The  most  extreme  variation  is 
shown  by  some  of  the  specimens  from  Icy  Cape  (see  fig.  20)  in 
which  the  oral  shields  are  extraordinarily  elongated  and  there  are 
deep  transverse  grooves  between  the  basal  under  arm  plates.  The 
arms  are  also  high  and  strongly  compressed,  so  that  they  are  virtually 
keeled  near  the  base.  I  at  first  considered  this  form  a  distinct  species, 
but  the  connecting  series  is  too  complete  to  warrant  its  recognition. 

OPHIURA  SCULPTA.    * 

Ophioglypha  sculpta  DUNCAN,  Journ.  Linn.  Soc.  London,  vol.  14,  1879,  p.  455. 
Ophiura  sculpta  MEISSNER,  Bronn's  Thierreichs,  vol.  2,  ser.  3,  1901,  p.  925. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  3702,  off  Honshu  Island,  Japan, 
31  to  41  fathoms,  volcanic  mud,  sand,  rocks,  2  specimens;  station 
4893,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  32'  N.;  long,  128°  32'  50"  E.,  95  to  106 
fathoms,  gray  sand,  broken  shells,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  55.9°, 
5  specimens;  station  4894,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  33'  N.;  long.  128° 
32 '  10"  E,  95  fathoms,  green  sand,  broken  shells,  pebbles,  2  speci- 
mens; station  4895,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  33'  10"  N. ;  long.  128°  32'  10" 
E.,  95  fathoms,  green  sand,  broken  shells,  pebbles,  5  specimens;  sta- 
tion 4900,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  28'  50"  N. ;  long.  128°  34'  40"  E.,  139 
fathoms,  gray  sand,  broken  shells,  bottom  temperature  52.9°,  1  speci- 
men; station  4903,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  31 '  10"  N. ;  long.  128°  33' 20" 
E.,  107  to  139  fathoms,  gray  sand,  broken  shells,  1  specimen.  Bathy- 
metrical  range,  31  to  139  fathoms.  Temperature  range,  55.9°  to  52.9°. 
Sixteen  specimens. 

These  specimens  answer  very  well  to  Duncan's  description  and 
figures,  and  show  very  little  diversity  of  structure  among  themselves. 
The  largest  one  is  only  a  trifle  larger  than  Duncan's  type,  having  the 
disk  a  little  more  than  8  mm.  in  diameter  and  the  arms  nearly  13  mm. 
long. 

OPHIURA  STUWITZII. 

Ophiura  stuwitzii  LUTKEN,  Vid.  Medd.  for  1857,  1857,  p.  51. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  2845,  off  Alaska,  lat.  54°  5'  N. ;  long. 
164°  9'  W.,  42  fathoms,  coarse  black  sand,  bottom  temperature  42°, 
1  specimen;  Alaska,  23  specimens;  Alaska,  Dall's  collection,  1  speci- 
men; Kyska  Harbor,  Alaska,  9  to  14  fathoms,  1  specimen. 


74 


BULLETIN    75,    UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 


These  specimens  vary  in  disk  diameter  from  3  to  8  mm.  They 
show  considerable  diversity  in  height  and  form  of  disk,  and  in  the 
shape  and  length  of  the  arm-comb  papilla,  but  even  the  smallest 
specimens  are  at  once  distinguishable  from  young  nodosa  by  the 
arm  spines. 

OPHIURA  (EDIPLAX,  new  species.o 

Disk  5  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  12  mm.  long.  Disk  covered 
by  twenty-one  plates,  a  centro-dorsal,  five  radial,  five  interradial, 
and  five  pairs  of  radial  shields;  all  disk  scales  more  or  less  tumid 
though  the  radial  shields  are  least  so.  Radial  shields  squarish, 
joined  for  most  of  their  length.  Upper  arm  plates  thick  and  swollen, 

somewhat  pentagonal  (be- 
coming tetragonal  and  finally 
trigonal),  but  with  more  or 
less  rounded  angles;  all 
but  basal  ones  longer  than 
wide,  first  three,  four,  or  five 
n  contact.  Interbrachial 
spaces  below  covered  almost 
wholly  by  the  oral  shields, 
distal  to  which  a  large  mar- 
ginal plate  and  the  two  geni- 
tal scales  may  be  seen;  a 
couple  of  small  angular  plates 
often  lie  between  oral  shields 
and  marginal  plate.  Oral 
shields  longer  than  wide, 
rounded  without,  pointed 
within.  Adoral  plates  very 
large,  twice  as  long  as  wide; 
C  oral  plates  somewhat  smaller 

FIG.  21.— OPHIURA  (EDIPLAX.    X10.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6, FROM    but    quite    indistinct.       Oral 

BELOW;  C,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE  ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK.  '11  '  "U  -C 

papillae  minute,  about  five 

on  a  side.  Genital  scales  very  stout,  with  a  marginal  series  of  about 
a  dozen  short,  blunt  papillae,  which  form  the  inconspicuous  arm 
comb  when  seen  from  above.  Basal  under  arm  plates  somewhat 
hexagonal  or  pentagonal,  and  though  the  plates  rapidly  diminish  in 
size,  they  undergo  little  change  of  form,  except  that  they  become 
wider  than  long  distally,  while  at  first  they  are  decidedly  longer  than 
wide.  Side  arm  plates  somewhat  swollen,  at  first  higher  than  long, 
but  rapidly  becoming  longer  than  high,  in  contact  except  at  base  of 
arm;  each  plate  carries  one  small  arm  spine,  high  up  on  the  distal 


),  signifying  to  swell,  and  x\a£,  signifying  a  plate,  in  reference  to  the  swollen 
disk  and  upper  arm  plates. 


NORTH   PACIFIC    OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM — CLARK.          75 

margin.  Oral  tentacle  pores  do  not  open  distinctly  into  mouth  slit; 
they  are  protected  by  two  or  three  scales  on  each  side.  Tentacle 
pores  of  arm  with  three  or  two  scales,  and  at  last  only  a  single  scale, 
on  proximal  margin.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  nearly  white. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  4812,  Sea  of  Japan,  lat.  38°  33'  N.; 
long.  138°  40'  E.,  176  to  200  fathoms,  fine  brown  mud  (?),  bottom 
temperature  34.9°,  6  specimens;  station  4819,  Sea  of  Japan,  lat.  38°_9' 
N.;  long.  138°  32'  12"  E.,  245  fathoms,  fine  brown  mud,  bottom 
temperature  33.1°,  4  specimens.  Bathymetrical  range,  176  to  245 
fathoms.  Temperature  range,  34.9°  to  33.1°.  Ten  specimens. 

Type.—C&t.  No.  25618,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4812. 

Although  this  interesting  little  brittle-star  is  nearly  related  to  both 
Ophiura  bullata  and  0.  convexa,  it  is  easily  distinguished  from  either 
(even  young  specimens)  by  the  single  short,  blunt  arm  spine,  the 
wide  oral  shields,  and  the  large  tentacle  scales.  It  is  quite  possible 
that  adiplax  is  the  young  of  a  larger  species,  but  I  know  of  none  to 
which  it  can  be  assigned,  and  it  seems  to  me  therefore  desirable  to 
both  name  and  figure  it. 

OPHIURA  STEREA. 

Ophioglypha  sterea  H.  L.  CLARK,  Bull.  Mus.  Comp.  ZooL,  vol.  51,  1908,  p.  293. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  3771,  off  Honshu  Island,  Japan,  6>1 
fathoms,  green  mud,  sand,  40  specimens;  station  3774,  off  Honshu 
Island,  Japan,  81  fathoms,  gray  sand,  2  specimens;  station  3775,  off 
Honshu  Island,  Japan,  57  fathoms,  green  mud,  sand,  2  specimens; 
station  4815,  Sea  of  Japan,  lat.  ,38°  16'  N.;  long.  138°  52'  W.,  70 
fathoms,  dark  green  sand,  bottom  temperature  51°,  1  specimen; 
station  4826,  off  Honshu  Island,  Japan,  lat.  37°  25'  N.;  long.  137°  32' 
E.,  114  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  black  specks,  bottom  temperature 
42.5°,  2  specimens;  station  4832,  off  Honshu  Island,  Japan,  lat.  36° 
14'  30"  N.;  long.  135°  56'  30"  E.,  76  to  79  fathoms,  dark  gray  sand, 
bottom  temperature  53.2°,  14  specimens;  station  4833,  off  Honshu 
Island,  Japan,  lat.  36°  13'  40"  N.;  long.  135°  56'  30"  E.,  79  fathoms, 
dark  gray  sand,  rocks,  bottom  temperature  53.2°,  6  specimens;  station 
4842,  off  Korea,  lat.  36°  13'  N.;  long.  133°  27'  E.,  82  fathoms,  fine 
green  sand,  shells,  bottom  temperature  54.6°,  1  specimen;  station 
4965,  off  Japan,  lat.  33°  35'  20"  N.;  long.  135°  10'  50"  E.,  191 
fathoms,  dark  green-gray  sand,  shells,  bottom  temperature  49.4°, 
1  specimen;  station  5046,  off  Honshu  Island,  Japan,  lat.  38°  15'  7" 
N.;  long.  141°  44'  20"  E.,  82  fathoms,  dark  gray  sand,  pebbles,  bot- 
tom temperature  50.8°,  20  specimens;  station  5055,  in  Suruga  Gulf, 
Japan,  lat.  34°  53'  N.;  long.  138°  44'  15",  124  fathoms,  green  mud, 
gray  sand,  broken  shells,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  56.6°,  6  speci- 
mens; station  5092,  Uraga  Strait,  Japan,  lat.  35°  4'50"N.;  long. 
139°  38'  13"  E.,  70  fathoms,  coarse  black  sand,  bottom  temperature 


76 


BULLETIN    75,    UNITED   STATES    NATIONAL    MUSEUM. 


56.3°, 3  specimens;  station  5094, Uraga  Strait,  Japan, lat.  35°  4'  42"  N.; 
long.  139°  38'  20"  E.,  88  fathoms,  black  sand,  broken  shells,  bottom 
temperature  54.8°,  5  specimens;  locality  (?),  2  specimens.  Bathy- 
metrical  range,  57  to  191  fathoms.  Temperature  range,  56.6°  to  42.5°. 
One  hundred  and  five  specimens. 

This  fine  series  of  specimens,  the  disk  diameters  of  which  range 
from  6  to  20  mm.,  shows  conclusively  that  the  original  specimens, 
on  which  the  species  was  based,  were  immature.  It  has  therefore 
seemed  advisable  to  give  figures  of  the  adult.  The  only  impor- 
tant changes  which  take  place  as  the  individuals  increase  from  a 
disk  diameter  of  7  mm.  to  one  of  20  are  found  in  the  arm  comb  and 
the  arm  spines.  The  change  in  the  arm  comb  is  an  increase  in  the 


FIG.  22.— OPHIURA  STEREA.    X2.5.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  b,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  BASE  OF  ARM. 

number  of  papillae,  of  which  there  may  be  as  many  as  twenty-five. 
The  change  in  the  arm  spines  is  far  more  important;  the  number  of 
what  we  may  call  true  arm  spines  changes  little,  for  there  are  usu- 
ally four  or  five,  and  only  rarely  six,  but  there  develops  on  the 
distal  margin  of  the  side  arm  plates  a  secondary  series  of  spines, 
which  may  be  quite  conspicuous,  and  consist  of  as  many  as  fifteen 
spinelets.  These  spinelets  are  usually  flatter,  thinner,  and  more  trun- 
cate than  the  true  spines,  but  while  the  differences  may  be  marked, 
it  is  often  difficult  to  distinguish  between  the  true  and  the  secondary 
spines.  This  is  particularly  so  at  the  base  of  the  arm,  as  may  be 
seen  in  fig.  22c.  On  the  whole,  sterea  seems  to  be  very  well  character- 
ized and  quite  distinct  from  any  of  its  nearest  relatives. 


NORTH   PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK.          77 

OPHIURA  SCULPTILIS. 

Ophioglypha  sculptilis  LYMAN,  Bull.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  vol.  5,  1878,  p.  84. 
Ophioglypha  variabilis  LYMAN,  Bull.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  vol.  5,  1878,  p.  85. 
Ophiura  sculptilis  MEISSNER,  Bronn's  Thierreichs,  vol.  2,  pt.  3,  1901,  p.  925. 

Locality. — Albatross  station  4928,  southeast  of  Yakushima  Island, 
Japan,  lat.  29°  51'  N.;  long.  131°  2'  30"  E.,  1,008  fathoms,  gray 
sand,  globigerina  ooze,  bottom  temperature  36.8°,  3  specimens.^ 

I  have  compared  these  specimens,  which  have  the  disk  about  9 
mm.  in  diameter,  with  a  cotype  of  variabilis  (Challenger  station  195, 
off  Amboina),  and  with  numerous  specimens  from  the  West  Indies, 
and  I  have  no  doubt  of  the  correctness  of  the  identification.  I  have 
also  examined,  in  connection  with  these  specimens,  a  cotype  of 
0.  sculptilis  Lyman  (Challenger  station  237,  off  Japan),  which  is 
of  almost  exactly  the  same  size  and  proportions  as  the  cotype  of 
variabilis,  and  I  am  forced  to  the  conclusion  that  the  two  are  conspe- 
cific.  Koehler a  has  expressed  the  view  that  while  sculptilis  and 
variabilis  are  very  closely  allied  they  seem  to  be  constantly  different 
in  the  oral  papillae  and  the  arrangement  of  scales  just  proximal  to  the 
radial  shields.  I  do  not  find  that  these  trivial  differences  hold  in  the 
series  before  me,  and  it  seems  to  me  necessary  to  unite  the  two  nominal 
forms  under  the  name  sculptilis,  which  has  the  priority  of  one  page 
over  the  very  appropriate  name  variabilis.  The  number  of  arm 
spines  is  given  by  Lyman  as  "six"  in  sculptilis  and  "four  or  five"  in 
variabilis;  at  the  base  of  the  arm,  however,  there  are  commonly  six 
or  seven  and  not  rarely  eight.  The  Challenger  specimen  of  variabilis 
has  six  or  seven,  the  Albatross  specimen  has  seven,  and  on  one  joint 
eight,  and  several  of  the  Blake  specimens  have  eight  on  one  or  more 
of  the  arm  joints.  After  the  first  half  dozen  joints  the  number  is 
commonly  four  or  five. 

OPHIURA  PONDEROSA. 

Ophioglypha  ponderosa  LYMAN,  Bull.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  vol.  5, 1878,  p.  93. 
Ophiura  ponderosa  MEISSNER,  Bronn's  Thierreichs,  vol.  2,  pt.  3,  1901,  p.  925. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  2853,  off  Alaska,  lat.  56°  N. ;  long. 
154°  20'  W.,  159  fathoms,  gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  41°,  3 
specimens;  station  2858,  off  Alaska,  lat.  58°  17'  N. ;  long.  148°  36'  W., 
230  fathoms,  blue  mud,  gravel,  bottom  temperature  39.8°,  2  speci- 
mens; station  2861,  off  Alaska,  lat.  51°  14'  N. ;  long.  129°  50'  W.,  204 
fathoms,  bottom?,  bottom  temperature  42.6°,  1  specimen;  station 
3126,  off  California,  lat.  36°  49'  20"  N.;  long.  122°  12'  30"  W.,  456 
fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature?,6  4  specimens;  station 
3337,  off  Alaska,  lat.  53°  55'  30"  N.;  long.  163°  26'  W.,  280  fathoms, 
green  mud,  bottom  temperature  39.3°,  43  specimens;  station  3339, 

a  Investigator  Deep  Sea  Oph.,  1899,  p.  20. 

&The  published  temperature  for  this  station  is  obviously  erroneous,  as  shown  by  the 
context, 


78  BULLETIN    75,    UNITED   STATES    NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 

off  Alaska,  lat.  54°  46'  N.;  long.  157°  43'  30"  W.,  138  fathoms,  mud, 
gravel,  bottom  temperature  37.4°,  1  specimen;  station  5023,  Okhotsk 
Sea,  lat.  48°  43'  30"  N.;  long.  145°  3'  E.,  75  fathoms,  sand,  pebbles, 
bottom  temperature  30.9°,  7  specimens;  station  5029,  Okhotsk  Sea, 
lat.  48°  22'  30"  N. ;  long.  145°  43'  30"  E.,  440  fathoms,  black  sand, 
gravel,  bottom  temperature  35.3°,  4  specimens;  station  5079,  off 
Omai  Saki,  Japan,  lat.  34°  15' N.;  long.  138°  E.,475  to  505  fathoms, 
pebbles,  bottom  temperature  39.1°,  8  specimens.  Bathymetrical 
range,  75  to  505  fathoms.  Temperature  range,  42.6°  to  30.9°. 
Seventy-three  specimens. 

This  splendid  series  of  specimens  is  of  great  interest  in  showing 
the  growth  changes  of  one  of  the  largest,  and  probably  the  heaviest, 
of  the  simple-armed  ophiurans.  The  smallest  specimen  has  the 
disk  6  mm.  in  diameter  and  nearly  3  mm.  thick.  It  is  covered  by 
about  sixty  plates,  of  which  the  primary  plates  and  five  additional 
plates  (one  proximal  to  each  pair  of  radial  shields)  are  more  or  less 
swollen  and  correspondingly  conspicuous.  In  the  largest  specimen 
the  disk  is  47  mm.  in  diameter  and  is  14  mm.  thick  just  proximal 
to  the  radial  shields;  it  is  covered  by  about  one  hundred  and  fifty 
plates.  While  the  diameter  has  increased  about  eight  times,  the 
thickness  has  only  increased  five  times  and  the  number  of  plates  on 
the  disk  only  two  and  a  half  times.  In  another  specimen,  in  which 
the  disk  diameter  is  about  42  mm.  there  are  only  about  seventy- 
five  disk  plates.  In  all  specimens  regardless  of  size,  the  radial  plate 
just  proximal  to  the  radial  shields,  is  the  most  swollen  and  usually 
the  most  conspicuous.  In  the  largest  specimen  the  arm  is  extraor- 
dinarily triangular  (in  cross  section)  at  base;  each  of  the  three  sides 
is  10  mm.  across.  In  small  specimens  the  arm  is  not  so  sharply 
keeled,  but  it  is  distinctly  trigonal.  The  arm  spines  show  considerable 
diversity  in  different  individuals,  quite  apart  from  size.  There  was 
only  a  single  specimen  in  the  Challenger  collection  and  it  is  probable 
Lyman  did  not  dry  that  one  completely,  so  that  he  was  misled  in 
regard  to  the  number  and  arrangement  of  the  arm  spines.  In  reality 
we  can  distinguish  here,  as  in  sterea,  between  true  and  secondary 
spines.  The  true  spines  are  usually  two  in  number,  short,  thick, 
and  peg-like;  often  there  are  three,  frequently  only  one,  and  some- 
times they  appear  to  be  wholly  wanting.  The  secondary  spines  are 
very  flat,  thin,  and  blunt,  and  first  appear  on  the  angle  of  the  arm 
between  the  lowest  true  spine  and  the  tentacle  scales.  They  may  be 
wholly  wanting,  especially  in  young  specimens.  In  adults,  they  may 
be  numerous  (as  many  as  twelve)  and  reach  clear  to  the  top  of  the 
side  arm  plate.  Usually  they  are  distinctly  more  marginal  than  the 
true  spines,  but  sometimes  all  are  in  the  same  plane,  and  then  the 
true  spines  can  only  be  distinguished,  if  at  all,  by  their  larger  size 
and  different  shape.  In  the  Challenger  specimen,  the  true  spines 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK.          79 

were  either  wanting  or  were  indistinguishable.  The  color  of  most  of 
the  individuals  before  me  is  some  shade  of  brownish-yellow,  but  those 
from  station  3126  are  nearly  pure  white.  In  these  specimens  also, 
the  oral  shields  are  much  narrower  and  more  constricted  than  in  any 
of  the  others,  but  the  differences  are  not  sufficiently  marked  to  raise 
any  question  as  to  the  specific  identity  of  the  form. 

OPHIURA  MEGAPOMA,  new  species.** 

Disk  17  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  50  mm.  long.  Disk  rather 
high  but  flat,  covered  by  about  100  to  150  stout,  coarse  plates,  among 
which  the  primary  plates  are  not  conspicuous.  Radial  shields  of 
moderate  size,  rather  longer  than  broad,  well  separated  both  without 
and  within,  but  usually  more  or  less  in  contact  at  the  middle.  Arms 
rather  high,  more  or  less  compressed  near  base.  Upper  arm  plates 
hexagonal  and  wider  than  long  at  base  of  arm,  but  more  or  less  rapidly 


FIG.  23.— OPHIURA  MEGAPOMA.    X3.   O.FROMABOVE;  &,FROMBELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE  ARM  JOINTS 

NEAR  DISK. 

becoming  longer  than  wide,  and  pentagonal  or  even  tetragonal  near 
tip ;  in  contact  except  at  extremity  of  arm.  Interbrachial  areas  below 
covered  by  about  twenty  rather  coarse  plates.  Oral  shields  longer 
than  wide,  rounded  distally  but  pointed  at  inner  end.  Adoral  plates 
large,  about  twice  as  long  as  wide;  oral  plates  smaller,  much  wider 
proximally  than  distally ;  in  the  type-specimen  there  are  a  number  of 
rounded  granules  on  the  inner  ends  of  these  plates,  but  these  are 
wanting  in  the  other  specimens.  Oral  papillae  only  three  on  each  side, 
rather  small  and  somewhat  pointed;  they  are  directly  continuous  with 
the  tentacle  scales  on  the  outer  side  of  the  oral  tentacle  pore.  Genital 
slits  long  and  moderately  conspicuous.  Genital  scales  short  and  wide 
distally,  rather  conspicuous  from  above;  each  scale  carries  about  eight 
wide,  truncate,  crowded  papillae,  which,  with  two  additional  ones  on 
the  outer  end  of  each  radial  shield,  make  up  the  conspicuous  arm 

a  Me-fac,  signifying  big,  and  Tro^a,  signifying  lid,  in  reference  to  the  large  lid-like 
tentacle  scales. 


80  BULLETIN    75,    UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

comb.  First  under  arm  plate  much  longer  than  wide,  with  a  median 
keel-like  swelling;  second  plate  similar,  but  wider,  and  with  the  keel 
flat  and  broad;  succeeding  plates  more  or  less  elongated  hexagonal, 
ultimately  becoming  tetragonal  and  then  triangular,  in  contact  on 
basal  two-thirds  of  arm.  Side  arm  plates  moderate,  somewhat 
swollen,  separated  both  above  and  beneath,  until  near  tip  of  arm; 
each  plate  bears  four  or  five  minute  papilla-like  arm  spines,  which 
grade  so  closely  into  the  tentacle  scales  it  is  difficult  to  draw  a  line 
between  them.  Oral  tentacle  pores  opening  into  mouth  slit,  but 
guarded  on  outer  side  by  four  very  large  scales,  of  which  the  most 
distal  is  nearly  or  quite  as  large  as  the  other  three  together ;  these  scales 
are  so  appressed  in  all  the  specimens,  that  the  pore  is  completely 
concealed,  and  one  can  not  even  see  whether  there  are  any  scales  on 
the  inner  margin  of  the  pore  or  not;  the  first  four  or  five  tentacle 
pores  of  the  arm  are  protected  in  the  same  way  by  from  four  to  seven 
big  scales;  farther  out  there  are  only  four,  three,  or  even  two,  much 
smaller  scales,  which  merge  into  the  series  of  spines  on  each  side  arm 
plate.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  brownish-drab. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  4826,  off  Japan,  lat.  37°  25'  N. ;  long. 
137°  32'  E.,  114  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  black  specks,  bottom  tem- 
perature 42.5°,  5  specimens;  station  4828,  off  Japan,  lat.  37  23'  N. ; 
long.  137°  36'  E.,  163  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  34.9°, 
4  specimens.  Bathymetrical  range,  114  to  163  fathoms.  Tempera- 
ture range,  42.5°  to  34.9°.  Nine  specimens. 

Type.—Csit.  No.  25546,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4826. 

This  species  is  quite  intermediate  between  the  species  of  the  sarsii 
group  of  Ophiura,  on  the  one  hand,  and  the  species  of  the  sculptilis 
group  on  the  other,  though  it  appears  to  be  more  nearly  related  to 
the  latter.  It  is  easily  distinguished  from  previously  known  species 
by  the  coarse  disk  scales  and  wide,  appressed  comb  papillae  in  com- 
bination with  the  minute,  blunt  arm  spines,  and  the  big,  flat  tentacle 
scales.  The  smallest  of  the  specimens  before  me  has  the  disk  9  mm. 
in  diameter;  it  has,  for  the  most  part  three  well-spaced  arm  spines, 
and  only  two  tentacle  scales,  often  only  one,  beyond  the  three  or 
four  basal  pores. 

OPHIURA  HADRA,  new  species.a 

Disk  32  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  probably  about  100  mm.  long. 
Disk  stout,  flat  or  slightly  arched,  nearly  10  mm.  thick,  covered  by 
about  seventy-five  plates,  among  which  only  the  radial  shields  are 
conspicuously  large;  the  plate  just  proximal  to  each  pair  of  radial 
shields  is  more  or  less  swollen,  much  as  in  ponderosa.  Radial  shields 
longer  than  wide,  in  contact  except  at  inner  end,  where  they  diverge. 
Arms  stout,  rounded  and  little  compressed,  about  7  mm.  wide  and  5 

0  *A§p6f,  signifying  stout,  thick,  in  reference  to  its  very  heavy,  solid  appearance. 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK. 


81 


mm.  high  at  base.  Upper  arm  plates  tetragonal  with  convex  distal 
margin  and  slightly  flaring  sides,  becoming  pentagonal  near  middle 
of  arm,  broadly  in  contact  throughout;  basal  plates  much  wider  than 
long,  but  the  length  rapidly  increases  until  the  plates  are  much  longer 
than  wide.  Interbrachial  spaces  below  covered  by  oral  shield  and 
nine  or  ten  marginal  and  submarginal  plates.  Oral  shields  more  or 
less  triangular,  outer  angles  slightly  rounded,  lateral  margins  more  or 
less  strongly  notched  at  head  of  genital  slits.  Adoral  plates  narrow, 
diverging;  oral  plates  nearly  as  large,  approximately  parallel.  Oral 
papillae  stout,  more  or  less  pointed,  five  or  six  on  a  side.  Genital  slits 
short  and  inconspicuous.  Genital  scales  short  and  only  little  visible 
from  below,  but  exceptionally 
wide  and  conspicuous  from 
above.  Each  scale  carries  a 
marginal  series  of  fifteen  to 
twenty  flat,  truncate,  ap- 
pressed  papillae  (see  fig.  24), 
which  at  upper  end  of  scale 
are  less  crowded,  and  are 
pointed  or  rounded  at  tip, 
and  at  lower  end  pass  grad- 
ually into  a  series  of  small 
papillae  on  margin  of  an  in- 
conspicuous, accessory,  or 
supplementary  genital  scale. 
Basal  under  arm  plate  some- 
what hexagonal,  much  wider 
than  long,distal  margin  longer 
than  proximal;  five  or  six 
succeeding  plates  tetragonal, 
wider  than  long;  remaining 

plates    somewhat    hexagonal,     FIG.  24.— OPHIURA  HADRA.    X1.75.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6, 

with  narrow  proximal  end,  FEOM  BELOW;  c' SIDE  VIEW  OF  BASE  op  AEM- 
longer  than  wide,  gradually  becoming  tetragonal,  or  sometimes  dia- 
mond shaped,  and  wider  than  long;  all  under  arm  plates  in  contact 
with  each  other  until  about  eighteenth  joint,  after  which  they  rapidly 
become  widely  separated.  Side  arm  plates  high  but  narrow,  not 
meeting  above  or  below  on  basal  half  of  arm;  each  plate  carries  five 
very  small,  thick,  blunt,  well-spaced  arm  spines;  there  is  no  develop- 
ment of  a  secondary  series  as  in  ponderosa.  Oral  tentacle  pores  large, 
nearly  but  not  quite  opening  into  mouth  slit,  protected  by  three  to 
six  scales  on  the  outer  side  and  two  to  four  on  inner;  outermost  scale 
in  each  series  very  broad;  tentacle  pores  of  arm  very  large,  the  basal 
ones  protected  by  eight  to  five  scales  on  proximal  side  and  five  to  two 
34916°— Bull.  75—11 6 


82  BULLETIN    75,    UNITED   STATES    NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

on  distal;  after  about  the  seventh  pore,  there  are  no  scales  on  distal 
side,  though  there  may  still  be  six  on  the  proximal;  on  terminal  part  of 
arm  there  are  three  or  two  scales  on  the  proximal  side  only.  Color 
(dried  from  alcohol),  dirty- whitish  or  ivory  white. 

Localities. — Albatross,  station  2860,  off  Washington,  lat.  51°  23'  N.; 
long.  130°  34'  W.,  876  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  36.5°, 
11  specimens;  station  3074,  off  Washington,  lat.  47°  22'  N.;  long. 
125°  48'  30"  W.,  877  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  36.6°, 
1  specimen;  station  3075,  off  Washington,  lat.  47°  22'  N.;  long. 
125°  41'  W.,  859  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  36.6°, 
6  specimens.  Bathymetrical  range,  859  to  877  fathoms.  Tempera- 
ture range,  36.6°  to  36.5°.  Eighteen  specimens. 

Type.—C&t.  No.  25612,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  3075. 

This  handsome  species  is  a  near  relative  of  ponderosa  but  is  at  once 
distinguished  from  that  species  by  the  rounded  arms,  with  very 
different  arm  spines.  It  is  evidently  an  inhabitant  of  deeper,  colder 
water,  and  apparently  has  a  much  more  restricted  range.  The  speci- 
mens from  station  2860  are  all  small,  with  disk  diameters  ranging 
from  3.5  to  9  mm.;  the  largest  has  two  arms  nearly  unbroken,  only 
the  tip  is  gone,  and  these  are  about  30  mm.  long.  These  young 
specimens  resemble  the  adults  in  all  essential  particulars,  except  in 
the  number  of  arm  spines;  most  of  them  have  only  a  single  spine,  but 
the  larger  ones  have  two  well-spaced  spines  on  most  of  the  basal 
joints.  In  the  adults  from  stations  3074  and  3075,  the  arms  are  all 
broken  in  their  basal  half,  so  it  is  not  possible  to  determine  the  num- 
ber of  arm  spines  near  their  tips. 

OPHIURA  STIPHRA,  new  species,  a 

Disk  16  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  42  mm.  long.  Disk  high, 
about  7  mm.  thick,  covered  by  a  smooth,  firm  coat,  of  about  one 
hundred  and  twenty-five  scales,  among  which  the  primary  plates  can 
be  distinguished  but  the  radial  shields  are  the  most  prominent. 
Radial  shields  about  as  wide  as  long,  in  contact  near  middle  but  sepa- 
rated within  and  widely  so  distally,  by  a  single  large  scale.  Arms 
high  at  base,  distinctly  compressed.  Upper  arm  plates  rather  variable 
in  shape,  but  tending  to  be  more  or  less  distinctly  hexagonal,  though 
basal  ones  have  decidedly  convex  distal  margins;  basal  ones  also 
much  wider  than  long  but  beyond  middle  of  arm,  length  generally 
exceeds  width.  Interbrachial  spaces  below,  each  nearly  one-half 
covered  by  oral  shield,  distal  to  which  is  a  series  of  about  four  long 
plates,  which  occupy  most  of  remaining  space.  Oral  shield  oval, 
narrower  proximally.  Adoral  plates  nearly  triangular,  pointed  dis- 
tally, but  with  very  indistinct  outlines;  oral  plates  narrow  but  con- 
spicuously swollen  at  proximal  end,  so  that  there  is  a  marked  eleva- 

signifying  compact,  solid,  in  reference  to  the  hard,  compact  structure. 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK.          83 

tion  on  face  of  each  jaw.  Oral  papillae  about  five  on  a  side,  those  at 
tip  of  jaw  rather  large  and  pointed.  Genital  slits  inconspicuous  but 
genital  scales  large  and  very  conspicuous  from  above;  each  scale 
carries  a  closely  crowded  series  of  about  thirty  marginal  papillae 
which  are  flat  and  truncate  orally  but  become  very  slender  and  some- 
what pointed  at  upper  end  of  scale.  Basal  under  arm  plates  wider 
than  long  and  wider  without  than  within,  each  with  a  conspicuous 
swelling  or  keel  occupying  median  part  of  plate;  succeeding  plates 
squarish  or  hexagonal  without  a  keel,  gradually  becoming  longer 
than  wide.  Side  arm  plates  high  but  narrow,  and  not  meeting  above 
or  below  until  far  out  on  terminal  part  of  arm;  each  plate  carries  two 
or  three  true  arm  spines  and  a  marginal  fringe  of  secondary  spines; 
secondary  fringe  resembles  arm  comb,  consisting  at  lower  end  of 
flat,  truncate  papillae  and  above  of  slender,  more  spine-like  processes; 
altogether  there  may  be  a  dozen  or  more  teeth  in  this  fringe;  lowest 
true  arm  spine  just  above  outermost  tentacle  scale,  for  which  it  might 


FIG.  25.— OPHIUKA  STIPHRA.    X3.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  BASE  OF  ARM. 

easily  be  mistaken  as  it  exceeds  it  very  little  in  size ;  second  arm  spine 
a  little  longer  and  usually  quite  pointed;  it  is  nearly  its  own  length 
above  lowest;  third  spine,  when  present,  is  at  extreme  upper  corner 
of  side  arm  plate  and  is  smallest  of  three.  Oral  tentacle  pores  large, 
not  opening  into  mouth  slit,  protected  by  about  five  large  flat  scales 
on  each  side;  basal  tentacle  pores  of  arm  similar  but  with  as  many 
as  eight  scales  on  proximal  side  and  only  three  or  four  on  distal; 
beyond  about  eighth  or  ninth  pore  there  are  no  scales  on  distal  mar- 
gin of  pore  but  there  are  three  or  four  on  the  proximal  side  far  out  on 
arm;  outermost  tentacle  scale  quite  similar  in  form  to  lowest  true 
arm  spine.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  fawn  color,  pale  buff,  pale 
gray,  or  whitish. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  3700,  off  Honshu  Island,  Japan,  63 
fathoms,  volcanic  mud,  sand,  1  specimen;  station  3708,  off  Honshu 
Island,  Japan,  60  to  70  fathoms,  green  mud,  volcanic  sand,  ashes, 
3  specimens;  station  3713,  off  Honshu  Island,  Japan,  45  to  48 


84  BULLETIN    75,    UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM.      • 

fathoms,  volcanic  sand,  shells,  rocks,  6  specimens;  station  3716,  off 
Ose  Zaki,  Japan,  65  to  125  fathoms,  volcanic  sand,  shells,  rocks, 
5  specimens;  station  4807,  Sea  of  Japan,  lat.  41°  36'  VI"  N.;  long. 
140°  36'  W.,  44  to  47  fathoms,  shells,  coarse  gravel,  1  specimen; 
station  4874,  Korea  Strait,  lat.  34°  38'  N. ;  long.  130°  3'  E.,  66  fathoms, 
green  sand,  broken  shells,  1  specimen;  station  4933,  off  Kagoshima 
Gulf,  lat.  30°  59'  N.;  long.  130°  29'  50"  E.,  ±52  fathoms,  rocky, 
bottom  temperature  56°,  1  specimen;  station  4934,  off  Kagoshima 
Gulf,  lat.  30°  58'  30"  N. ;  long.  130°  32'  E.,  103  to  152  fathoms,  rocky, 
bottom  temperature  56°,  4  specimens.  Bathymetrical  range,  44  to 
152  fathoms.  Twenty-two  specimens. 

Type.— Cat.  No.  25728,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4807. 

This  species  resembles  stereo,  so  closely  that  viewed  simply  from 
above  it  can  not  be  distinguished  with  certainty,  although  the  upper 
arm  plates  are  somewhat  different.  But  a  glance  at  the  arm  spines  is 
sufficient  to  enable  one  to  separate  the  two  species  without  fail. 
The  secondary  arm  spines  of  stiphra,  are  so  fully  differentiated  into  a 
marginal  fringe  and  are  so  sharply  distinct  from  the  true  spines  that 
the  general  appearance  is  quite  unlike  that  of  stereo,. 

OPHIURA  PENICHRA,  new  species.a 

Disk  24  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  70  mm.  long.  Disk  high, 
about  7  mm.  thick,  covered  by  a  close,  smooth  coat,  of  rather  less 


FIG.  26.— OPHIURA  PENICHRA.    X2.    c,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE  ARM 

JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

than  one  hundred  scales,  among  which  the  primary  plates  are  not 
always  distinguishable,  but  the  radial  shields  are  conspicuous. 
Radial  shields  rather  longer  than  wide,  united  for  about  two-thirds 
of  their  length,  inner  ends  diverging.  Arms  high,  compressed,  and 
faintly  keeled  at  base.  Upper  arm  plates  tetragonal,  much  wider 
than  long,  gradually  becoming  hexagonal  and  ultimately,  longer  than 
wide,  in  contact  nearly  to  tip  of  arm.  Interbrachial  spaces  below 
mostly  covered  by  oral  shield  and  three  elongated  plates  distal  to  it. 

>  signifying  poor,  needy,  in  reference  to  the  depauperate  arm  spines. 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK.          85 

Oral  shields  moderately  large,  much  longer  than  wide.  Adoral 
plates  large,  well  defined,  twice  as  long  as  wide;  oral  plates  smaller, 
more  or  less  parallel,  with  a  conspicuous  unpaired  plate  at  their 
proximal  ends.  Oral  papillae  few  and  stout,  about  four  on  a  side. 
Genital  slits  small  but  genital  scales  large  and  conspicuous,  especially 
when  seen  from  above;  each  scale  carries  a  marginal  series  of  about 
eighteen  short,  thick,  blunt  papillae  which  change  little  in  fdrnT  as 
they  pass  from  lower  to  upper  end  of  scale.  Basal  under  arm  plates 
squarish,  wider  than  long,  becoming  octagonal,  heptagonal,  hex- 
agonal, pentagonal,  and  at  last  rhombic ;  they  are  broadly  in  contact 
on  basal  half  of  arm  but  become  widely  separated  distally.  Side  arm 
plates  not  very  large,  well  separated  from  each  other  below  and 
above,  except  near  tip  of  arm;  each  plate  carries  near  its  middle,  on 
distal  margin,  a  single  minute,  papilla-like  arm  spine;  there  is  no 
trace  of  secondary  arm  spines.  Oral  tentacle  pore  opens  into  mouth 
slit;  it  is  protected  by  four  or  five  flat,  stout,  scales  on  each  side; 
basal  pores  on  arms  similar,  but  with  no  scales  on  distal  side  of  pore 
after  about  the  sixth  joint;  two  tentacle  scales  continue  to  tip  of 
arm,  on  proximal  side  of  pore.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  buff, 
grayish,  or  nearly  white. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  5036,  off  Hokkaido,  Japan,  lat.  41° 
58'  N.;  long.  142°  30'  30"  E.,  464  fathoms,  brown  mud,  bottom 
temperature  37.9°,  5  specimens;  station  5038,  off  Hokkaido,  Japan, 
lat.  42°  2'  40"  N.;  long.  142°  36'  E.,  175  fathoms,  fine  black  sand, 
broken  shells,  brown  mud,  bottom  temperature  37.1°,  5  specimens; 
station  5043,  off  Hokkaido,  Japan,  lat.  42°  10'  20"  N.;  long.  142° 
15'  20"  E.,  309  to  330  fathoms,  brown  mud,  fine  black  sand,  coral, 
sand,  bottom  temperature  37.9°,  11  specimens;  station  5044,  off 
Hokkaido,  Japan,  lat.  42°  10'  40"  N.;  long.  142°  14'  E.,  309  to  359 
fathoms,  gray  sand,  coral,  sand,  bottom  temperature  32.1°,  6  speci- 
mens. Bathymetrical  range,  175  to  464  fathoms.  Temperature 
range,  37.9°  to  32.1°.  Twenty-seven  specimens. 

Type.—Csit.  No.  25528,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  5038. 

This  is  another  species,  very  similar  to  sterea  at  first  sight,  but 
easily  distinguished  by  a  glance  at  the  arm  spines.  The  arm  comb 
is  also  very  different  from  those  of  sterea  and  stipJira.  The  conspicu- 
ous unpaired  plate  at  apex  of  the  jaw  is  not  characteristic  as  a  similar 
plate  can  usually  be  seen  in  sterea,  ponderosa,  and  the  other  related 
forms. 

OPHIURA  ATACTA,  new  species." 

Disk  6  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  15  mm.  long,  probably. 
Disk  somewhat  arched,  covered  with  150  to  175  scales,  which  are  of 
very  diverse  sizes  and  show  no  definite  arrangement.  Radial  shields 

a  /Va/a-of ,  signifying  out  of  order,  in  reference  to  the  disordered  appearance  of  the 
disk  scales. 


86  BULLETIN   75,   UNITED   STATES  NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 

large,  somewhat  triangular,  nearly  twice  as  long  as  wide,  well  sepa- 
rated within  but  touching  distally.  Upper  arm  plates  tetragonal 
(becoming  triangular  on  distal  half  of  arm),  with  distal  margin  con- 
vex and  much  longer  than  proximal;  lateral  margins  somewhat 
concave,  and  distinctly  longer  than  distal;  only  first  six  or  eight, 
in  contact.  Interbrachial  spaces  below  covered  by  fifteen  to  twenty 
irregular  plates.  Genital  slits  long  and  conspicuous,  bounded  by 
very  large  genital  scales;  each  scale  carries  near  its  distal  end  a  few 
blunt  papillae,  which  are  flat,  squarish,  and  closely  in  contact  with 
each  other,  when  seen,  as  an  arm  comb,  from  above.  Oral  shields 
large,  about  as  long  as  broad,  or  longer,  somewhat  pentagonal. 
Adoral  plates  long  and  narrow,  meeting  within;  oral  plates  rather 
large,  three  times  as  long  as  wide.  Oral  papillae  about  five  on  a  side, 
subequal,  squarish  but  pointed,  crowded.  First  under  arm  plate 
large,  hexagonal,  much  wider  than  long;  succeeding  plates  triangular 


FIG.  27.— OPHIURA  ATACTA.    X8.    a,  FKOM  ABOVE;  6,  FKOM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO  ARM  JOINTS 

NEAR  DISK. 

or  pentagonal,  wider  than  long,  only  first  two,  or  none,  in  contact. 
Side  arm  plates  large,  broadly  in  contact  below  and  above,  except 
at  very  base  of  arm;  each  plate  carries  three  short,  subequal,  bluntly 
pointed  arm  spines,  about  half  as  long  as  joint.  Oral  tentacle  pores 
open  into  mouth  slit ;  each  pore  with  five  or  six  scales  on  either  side ; 
next  two  or  three  pores  with  three  or  two  scales  on  side  arm  plate, 
proximally;  remaining  pores  with  a  single  small  scale.  Color  (dried 
from  alcohol),  nearly  white. 

Locality. — Albatross  station  3338,  off  Aleutian  Islands,  lat.  54° 
19'  N.,  long. ;  159°  40'  W.,  625  fathoms,  green  mud,  sand,  bottom  tem- 
perature 37.3°,  1  specimen. 

Type.— Cat.  No.  25533,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  3338. 

In  several  particulars  this  specimen  resembles  monostcecha,  but  it 
can  not  be  referred  to  that  species,  the  radial  shields  and  upper  arm 
plates  are  so  different,  aside  from  other  minor  points.  The  peculiarly 


NORTH   PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK. 


87 


irregular  arrangement  of  the  disk  scales  may  not  be  a  species  character^ 
for  such  a  condition  is  occasionally  found  as  an  individual  variation 
in  species  which  normally  have  the  disk  scales  very  regularly  disposed. 

OPHIURA  BRACHYACTIS,  new  species,  a 

Disk  17  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  35  mm.  long.  Disk  high, 
6  mm.  thick,  covered  by  a  smooth,  firm  coat  of  some  seventy-five 
scales;  central  primary  plate  very  small  (peculiarly  elongated  in  the 
type,  but  pentagonal  in  the  other  specimen),  surrounded  by  the  five 
very  large  radials,  which  look  as  though  they  overlapped  each  other 
clockwise  (probably  they  do  not  really  overlap  at  all).  Radial  shields 


FIG.  28.— OPHIURA  BRACHYACTIS.    X3.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  BASE  OF  ARM 

very  large,  closely  joined,  a  trifle  longer  than  wide;  outer  ends 
slightly  diverging  and  inner  ends  more  or  less  separated  by  a  single 
scale.  Arms  high  and  compressed  at  base,  but  not  really  keeled. 
Upper  arm  plates  more  or  less  hexagonal,  becoming  tetragonal;  basal 
ones  much  wider  than  long,  distal  ones  somewhat  longer  than  wide, 
in  contact  throughout.  Interbrachial  spaces  below  covered  by  oral 
shields  and  about  a  dozen  scales.  Oral  shields  very  much  longer 
than  wide,  rounded  distally,  pointed  at  inner  end.  Adoral  plates 
small  and  narrow,  about  three  times  as  long  as  wide;  oral  plates 
wider  but  not  so  long;  an  unpaired  plate  at  tip  of  jaw.  Oral  papillae 
small,  four  or  five  on  a  side,  besides  a  terminal  infradental  papilla. 

«  Bpa%uc,  signifying  short,  and  OKT^,  signifying  ray,  in  reference  to  the  short  arms. 


88  BULLETIN   75,   UNITED  STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

Genital  slits  long,  but  not  conspicuous;  genital  scales  short,  but  very 
wide  distally  with  a  well-marked  supplementary  scale  at  proximal 
end ;  each  genital  scale  (with  its  supplementary  scale)  carries  a  mar- 
ginal series  of  about  twenty-two  papillae,  which  are  flat,  truncate,  and 
crowded  below,  but  become  longer,  more  spine-like,  and  better  spaced 
above.  First  under  arm  plate  somewhat  triangular  or  tetragonal, 
with  distal  margin  much  longer  than  proximal;  succeeding  four  or 
five  plates  squarish,  wider  than  long;  remaining  plates  tetragonal, 
longer  than  wide,  becoming  ultimately  very  minute  and  triangular; 
all  under  arm  plates  are  in  contact  until  near  tip  of  arm.  Side 
arm  plates  not  very  large,  well  separated  both  above  and  below; 
each  plate  carries  two  true  arm  spines;  one  near  upper  corner  of 
plate,  not  very  flat,  sharp,  about  one-third  as  long  as  arm  joint; 
the  second,  low  down  on  plate,  very  flat,  somewhat  pointed,  not 
always  to  be  easily  distinguished  from  underlying  secondary  series; 
this  secondary  series  of  arm  spines  is  very  well  developed  and 
is  made  up  of  flat,  truncate,  crowded  papillae  which  are  much 
longer  near  middle  of  plate  than  they  are  either  above  or  below; 
lower  papillae  largest,  not  always  to  be  easily  distinguished  from 
outermost  tentacle  scales.  Oral  tentacle  pores  do  not  quite  open  into 
mouth  slits;  they  are  protected  by  about  four  scales  on,  each  side. 
Basal  tentacle  pores  of  arm  with  four  to  eight  scales  on  proximal  side, 
but  only  three  or  two  small  ones  on  distal  side;  after  about  fourth 
pore  there  are  no  scales  on  distal  side,  though  there  may  still  be  five 
or  six  on  proximal  side;  near  tip  of  arm  there  are  simply  two  small 
scales  on  proximal  margin  of  each  pore.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol), 
yellowish-brown  or  fawn  color. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  5018,  off  Sakhalin,  lat.  46°  41 '  30" 
N.;  long.  143°  57'  40"  E.,  100  fathoms,  brown  mud,  black  sand,  peb- 
bles, bottom  temperature  30.4°,  1  specimen;  station  5023,  off  Sagha- 
lin,  lat.  48°  43'  30"  N.;  long.  145°  3'  E.,  75  fathoms,  sand,  pebbles, 
bottom  temperature  30.9°,  1  specimen.  Bathymetrical  range,  75  to 
100  fathoms.  Temperature  range,  30.9°  to  30.4°. 

Type.— Cat.  No.  25548,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  5023. 

This  is  still  another  species  of  the  stereo,  group,  easily  distinguished 
by  the  secondary  arm  spines.  It  is  somewhat  doubtful  whether  the 
peculiar  arrangement  of  the  .disk  scales  shown  by  these  two  speci- 
mens will  really  prove  sufficiently  constant  to  afford  a  specific  char- 
acter; if  it  should  prove  constant,  it  would  be  very  useful  as  an  easy 
means  of  recognition,  even  apart  from  the  secondary  arm  spines,  for 
I  know  of  no  other  species  in  which  the  centrodorsal  is  so  small  in  pro- 
portion to  the  radial  plates.  The  extremely  low  temperature  of  the 
water  is  a  marked  feature  of  the  habitat  of  this  species. 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM- 


7L.ABK. 


89 


OPHIURA  POMPHOPHORA,  new  species. & 

Disk  15  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  45  mm.  long.  Disk  convex, 
but  only  moderately  high  at  margin,  covered  by  about  forty  plates, 
each  of  which  is  more  or  less  convex,  the  six  primary  plates  most  so. 
Radial  shields  longer  than  wide,  joined  for  about  half  their  length, 
but  well  separated  proximally  by  a  large  diamond-shaped  plate. 
Arms  rather  wide  at  base,  somewhat  depressed,  very  flat  orally,  and 
becoming  flat  dorsally  near  tip.  Upper  arm  plates  convex  or  some- 
what swollen,  only  first  six  or  seven  in  contact;  first  two  plates 
rounded  tetragonal,  very 
much  wider  than  long;  next 
three  or  four  plates  also  tet- 
ragonal, and  wider  than 
long,  but  distal  margin  very 
much  longer  than  proximal ; 
succeeding  plates  triangular, 
slightly  wider  than  long. 
Interbrachial  spaces  below 
narrow,  covered  by  huge 
oral  shields,  and  single  mar- 
ginal plates,  between  which 
are  two  or  three  small  tri- 
angular plates;  all  these 
plates  are  notably  thick  and 
heavy,  even  if  not  exactly 
convex.  Oral  shields  long 
triangular,  longer  than  wide, 
rounded  distally  and  pointed 
within.  Adoral  plates  and 
oral  plates  distinct,  moder- 
ate, slightly  convex.  Oral 
papillae  three  or  four  on  a 
side,  outer  ones  very  wide  and  truncate;  an  infradental  papilla 
present  at  apex  of  jaw.  Genital  slits  long  and  conspicuous;  each 
genital  scale  with  about  twenty-five  marginal  papillae,  which  are 
truncate  and  crowded  orally,  but  become  rounded  at  tip  or  bluntly 
pointed  at  upper  end  of  genital  scales;  arm  comb  thus  formed, 
directly  continued  by  a  series  of  four  or  five  small  papillae  on 
outer  end  of  radial  shields;  the  two  series  on  opposite  sides  do  not 
quite  meet,  however,  across  base  of  arm.  First  under  arm  plate 
octagonal,  about  as  long  as  wide;  second,  larger,  more  tetragonal 


FIG.  29.— OPHIURA  POMPHOPHORA,  ADULT.    X3.5     a,  FROM 
ABOVE;  6,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE  ARM 

JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 


&  /7o(«<£6f ,  signifying  bubble,  and  <f>opa,  signifying  carrying,  in  reference  to  the  convex 
disk  plates. 


BtJLLETIN    *7S,    UNITED    STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 


with  outer  margin  convex;  third,  still  larger,  oblong,  wider  than  long: 
succeeding  plates  heptagonal,  but  quickly  becoming  pentagonal,  in 
contact  up  to  eighth  or  ninth  joint,  after  which  they  become  small 
and  widely  separated.  Side  arm  plates  large  and  somewhat  swollen, 
but  not  in  contact  either  below  or  above  on  basal  part  of  arm;  each 
plate  carries  three  cylindrical  spines,  about  one-third  as  long  as  plate 
(or  nearly  one-half) ,  and  situated  well  back  from  margin ;  two  lower 
spines  near  together,  while  uppermost  is  near  upper  margin  of  plate. 
Oral  tentacle  pores  scarcely  opening  into  mouth  slit,  protected  by 
five  scales  on  each  side ;  tentacle  pores  of  arm  protected  by  scales  as 

follows,  the  number  on 
proximal  side  of  pore 
being  given  first:  4-5, 
4-4,  4-3,  4-2,  3-2,  and 
2-1 ;  of  course  the  num- 
ber on  any  particular 
pore  varies  somewhat 
on  different  arms,  but 
at  least  one  distal  scale 
seems  to  continue  even 
to  very  tip  of  arm. 
Color  (dried  from  alco- 
hol), ivory-white. 

Localities. — Albatross 
station  3749,  off  Suno 
Saki,  Japan,  83  to  158 
fathoms,  black  sand, 
shells,  1  specimen:  sta- 
tion 4892,  Eastern  Sea, 
lat.  32°  21'  30"  N.; 
long.  128°  33'  E.,  181 
fathoms,  gray  sand, 
broken  shells,  rocks, 
Bathymetrical  range, 


FIG.  30.— OPHIURA  POMPHOPHORA,  YOUNG.     XlO.     a,  FROM  ABOVE; 

b,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE  ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 


bottom  temperature  50.2°,  1  young  specimen 
83  to  181  fathoms. 

Type.— Cat.  No.  25604,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  3749. 

The  specimen  from  station  4892  is  only  4  mm.  across  the  disk,  and 
both  disk  and  arms  are  very  flat.  I  at  first  supposed  it  to  represent 
a  different  species,  but  I  am  at  last  convinced  it  is  simply  the  young 
of  pomphophora.  The  figures  given  herewith  (figs.  29  and  30)  bring  out 
better  than  words  can  the  differences  in  the  scaling  of  disk  and  arms, 
both  above  and  below.  As  would  naturally  be  expected  in  so  young 
a  specimen,  the  scales  are  less  swollen;  the  arm  spines  and  comb 
papillae  are  more  pointed  and  the  tentacle  scales  are  much  less  numer- 
ous. The  species  appears  to  be  very  well  characterized,  for  while  it 


NORTH   PACIFIC   OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM — CLAEK. 


01 


resembles  0.  undata,  Lyman  in  some  particulars,  a  single  glance  at 
the  interbrachial  areas  and  oral  shields  is  sufficient  to  distinguish  the 
two  species.  From  0.  solida  Lyman,  the  arm  plates  alone  are  enough 
to  separate  pomphopJiora. 

OPHIURA  GLYPTODISCA,  new  species.a 

Disk  nearly  6  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  21  mm.  long.  Disk  lliick, 
flat,  covered  by  six  primary  plates,  radial  shields  and  two  plates  in 
each  interradius,  but  each  of  these  plates  is  surrounded  by  smaller 
ones,  and  the  small  plates  seem  to  be  raised  above  the  large  ones,  so 
that  the  surface  of  the  disk  has  a  little  the  appearance  of  being  sculp- 
tured. Radial  shields 
large,  longer  than  wide, 
closely  joined.  Arms 
nearly  cylindrical  near 
base  and  tapering  to  a 
very  slender  tip.  Upper 
arm  plates  swollen,  only 
first  two  in  contact; 
they  are  more  or  less 
triangular  with  outer 
corners  rounded,  dimin- 
ish rapidly  in  size,  and 
are  entirely  wanting 
after  about  the  twelfth 
joint.  Interbrachial 

spaces  below  covered  by 
huge  oral  shields  and 
single  marginal  plates ; 
at  outer  corners  of  oral 
shields,  there  may  be  one 
or  two  small  plates. 
Oral  shields  rounded 
without,  abruptly  narrowed  within,  about  as  wide  as  long.  Adoral 
and  oral  plates  well  defined,  the  latter  decidedly  the  larger.  Oral 
papillae  seven  or  eight  on  a  side,  closely  soldered,  outermost 
much  the  widest.  Genital  slits  long;  genital  scales  large,  each 
one  with  a  marginal  series  of  minute  papillae  which  become  suffi- 
ciently elongated  dorsally  to  make  a  conspicuous  arm  comb  of  stout, 
pointed  teeth.  First  under  arm  plate  triangular,  with  rounded  cor- 
ners about  as  long  as  wide;  succeeding  plates  well  separated  from  each 
other,  pentagonal  quickly  becoming  tetragonal,  with  more  or  less 


FIG.  31.— OPHIURA  GLYPTODISCA.    X8.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  b,  FROM 
BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE  ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 


,  signifying  carved,  ornamented,  and  dtoKoe,  signifying  disk,  in  reference  to 
the  prettily  ornamented  appearance  of  the  disk. 


92  BULLETIN    75,    UNITED   STATES    NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

rounded  angles,  much  wider  than  long.  Side  arm  plates  very  large, 
somewhat  swollen,  meeting  above  and  below;  each  plate  carries  three 
arm  spines,  not  half  as  long  as  joint,  the  uppermost  of  which  is  far- 
ther from  the  other  two  than  they  are  from  each  other.  Oral  tentacle 
pores  small,  opening  at  some  distance  distal  to  the  mouth  slit,  and 
guarded  by  one  to  three  scales  on  each  side;  usually  there  are  two 
scales  on  one  side  and  one  on  the  other;  first  two  tentacle  pores  of 
arm  with  two  minute  scales,  but  succeeding  pores  have  only  a  single 
scale;  there  are  neither  scales  nor  pores  at  tip  of  arm.  Color  (dried 
from  alcohol),  pale  gray;  arms  nearly  white. 

Locality.—  Albatross  station  4878,  Korea  Strait,  lat.  34°  18'  30"  N.; 
long.  130°  14'  30"  E.,  59  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  broken  shells,  1 
specimen. 

Type.—C&t.  No.  25539,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4878. 

There  is  considerable  room  for  difference  of  opinion  as  to  whether 
this  species  properly  belongs  in  OpTiiura  or  not,  but  in  view  of  the 
fact  that  the  genus  as  at  present  recognized  is  a  very  heterogeneous 
group,  and  will  have  to  be  broken  up  into  a  number  of  genera,  I  think 
it  best  to  place  glyptodisca  here  just  now.  The  specimen  may  be 
young,  although  the  general  appearance  indicates  full  maturity,  even 
if  not  full  size. 

ANTHOPHIURA,  new  genus.a 

Disk  covered  by  the  primary  plates  and  radial  shields  with  a  very 
few  large  interradial  plates.  Centrodorsal  plate  elevated  and  con- 
spicuously star  or  flower  shaped  (see  fig.  32a).  No  upper  arm  plates 
beyond  second  joint,  and  under  arm  plates  confined  to  basal  joints 
of  arm.  No  arm  comb.  Tentacle  pores  of  arm  with  a  single  spine- 
like  tentacle  scale. 

Type-species.  —  AnthopJiiura  axiologa. 

This  genus,  although  probably  an  offshoot  from  OpTiiura,  does  not 
seem  to  be  very  nearly  related  to  any  other  genus.  While  it  resembles 
Ophiopyrgus  in  some  particulars,  it  differs  in  the  absence  of  an  arm 
comb  and  in  the  shape  of  the  centrodorsal  plate,  and  moreover  the 
differences  in  tentacle  scales,  as  well  as  in  the  form  of  the  disk  and 
of  the  arms,  are  so  great,  the  two  can  not  be  confused.  There  is  also 
a  certain  suggestion  of  Ophiomastus  in  this  new  genus,  but  Ophio- 
mastus  has  upper  and  under  arm  plates  on  the  terminal  part  of  the 
arms  and  the  tentacle  scales  are  utterly  different,  to  say  nothing 
of  the  centrodorsal  plate.  From  Ophiomusium,  Anihophiura  is 
readily  distinguished  by  the  large  tentacle  pores  and  peculiar  tentacle 
scales. 


a  "AvOoc,  signifying  flower,  and  frfref,  signifying  snake,  and  o&p&,  signifying  tail,  in 
reference  to  the  flower-like  appearance  of  the  centrodorsal  plate,  and  in  keeping  with 
the  name  of  the  largest  genus  (and  the  class)  of  brittle-stars. 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK. 


93 


ANTHOPHIURA  AXIOLOGA,  new  species." 

Disk  5  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  12  mm.  long.  Disk  rather  high, 
its  vertical  diameter  at  center  being  nearly  2  mm.;  it  is  covered  by 
twenty-six  plates,  of  which  six  are  primary  plates,  ten  are  radial 
shields,  and  ten  are  interradial  plates,  arranged  in  pairs,  one  plate 
in  each  pair  being  marginal  and  one  lying  against  two  radial  plates; 
centrodorsal  plate  very  high  and  very  distinctly  star-shaped.  Radial 
shields,  longer  than  wide,  closely  joined,  somewhat  depressed  below 
the  other  disk  plates.  Arms  cylindrical  and  slender,  gradually  taper- 
ing to  tip.  First  upper  arm  plate  rather  large,  swollen,  just  beneath 
outer  ends  of  radial 
shields;  second  plate 
much  smaller  or  want- 
ing; no  upper  arm  plates 
beyond  second  joint.  In- 
terbrachial  spaces  below 
covered  by  oral  shield,  a 
supplementary  plate,  the 
marginal  plate  so  con- 
spicuous from  above,  and 
very  wide  genital  plates. 
The  last  carry  no  mar- 
ginal papillae  and  hence 
there  is  no  trace  of  an 
arm  comb.  Oral  shields 
somewhat  triangular, 
with  outer  corners 
rounded,  nearly  as  wide 
as  long.  Adoral  and  oral 

plates  moderately  large,     FIG.  32.— ANTHOPHIURA  AXIOLOGA.     X10.     a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6, 

about  of  a  size.  Oral  FROM  BELOW;  c> SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE  ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK' 
papillae  small,  close-set,  about  three  on  a  side,  of  which  outermost 
is  as  wide  as  other  two  together.  Basal  under  arm  plates  mod- 
erately large,  more  or  less  pentagonal;  first  longer  than  wide,  but 
others  wider  than  long;  beyond  the  disk  the  plates  are  much 
smaller  and  triangular,  and  after  about  the  sixth  joint  are  entirely 
wanting.  Side  arm  plates  very  large,  meeting  broadly  above 
and  below;  beyond  the  sixth  joint  they  cover  the  entire  surface  of 
the  arm;  each  plate  carries  three  sharp,  rather  thick  arm  spines,  of 
which  the  uppermost  is  longest  and  approximately  equals  half  an 
arm  joint.  Oral  tentacle  pore  with  two  or  three  scales  on  each  side 
much  as  in  Ophiura;  it  does  not  open  into  the  mouth  slit.  Tentacle 

,  signifying  remarkable;  the  application  is  obvious, 


94 


BULLETIN    75,    UNITED   STATES    NATIONAL    MUSEUM. 


pores  of  arm  large,  round,  with  a  single,  big,  spinelike  tentacle 
scale  on  proximal  side.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  pale  gray. 

Locality. — Albatross  station  4765,  Aleutian  Islands,  lat.  53°  12'  N. ; 
long.  171°  37' W.,  1,217  fathoms,  fine  black  sand,  bottom  temperature 
35.2°,  8  specimens. 

Type.— Cat.  No.  25534,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4765. 

The  smallest  specimen  has  the  disk  only  about  3  mm.  in  diameter 
but  in  practically  all  of  its  characters  it  agrees  with  the  others, 
except  that  there  seems  to  be  a  well-developed  second  upper  arm 
plate,  which  is  not  present  in  the  type  specimen.  There  is  no  danger 
that  this  species  will  be  confused  with  any  other  ophiuran,  even  if 
these  specimens  prove  to  be  very  immature. 

OPHIOTROCHUS  LONGISPINUS,  new  species.o 

Disk  6  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  30  mm.  long.  Disk  very- 
flat,  thin,  covered  by  radial  shields  and  about  twenty-six  large 

plates  (six  primaries,  five 
other  radials,  and  three 
plates  in  each  interra- 
dius)  regularly  arranged 
and  surrounded  by  nu- 
merous much  smaller 
scales;  along  margin  of 
disk  are  numerous  small 
granules.  Radial  shields 
longer  than  broad, 
rounded  at  both  ends, 
separated  by  a  narrow 
line  of  scales  or  barely 
in  contact.  Upper  arm 
plates  triangular,  or  tet- 
ragonal with  outer  end 
rounded,  very  minute 
but  apparently  present 
to  very  tip  of  arm.  In- 
terbrachial  spaces  below 
C  covered  with  scales, 

FIG.  33.— OPHIOTKOCHUS  LONGISPINUS.    X8.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  b,     which  are    more    Or    leSS 
FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE  ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK:        concealed;  especially 

near  margin,  by  coarse  granules.  Oral  shields  not  very  large,  triangular, 
with  outer  corners  more  or  less  rounded.  Adoral  plates  very  long, 


«  Longus,  signifying  long,  and  spinus,  signifying  spine,  in  reference  to  the  very 
long  arm  spines  of  the  first  joint. 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK.  95 

narrow  within  but  much  expanded  distally;  oral  plates  long  and 
narrow.  Oral  papillae  small,  those  along  side  of  jaw  more  or  less 
completely  fused  into  a  low  but  very  wide  plate;  at  apex  of  jaw  are 
four  or  five  longer  and  more  pointed  papillae.  On  adoral  plates  and 
tip  of  oral  shield  are  a  number  of  granules  like  those  on  interbrachial 
spaces.  Genital  slits  short  and  genital  scales  inconspicuous,  with 
no  trace  of  an  arm  comb.  First  under  arm  plate  pentagonal,  as  long 
as  wide;  second  plate  pentagonal,  longer  than  wide;  third  plate  simi- 
lar but  much  wider  distally  than  it  is  long,  and  with  convex  distal 
margin;  succeeding  plates  similar  but  continually  becoming  smaller 
and  yet  relatively  wider.  Side  arm  plates  very  large,  meeting 
broadly  above  and  below,  much  swollen  distally;  each  plate  carries 
two  short,  pointed  arm  spines,  half  as  long  as  joint,  close  together, 
low  down  on  arm;  second  joint  (the  first  one  visible  from  above) 
bears  in  addition  two  much  longer  spines  on  upper  part  of  plate; 
uppermost  spine,  which  lies  near  midline  of  upper  surface  of  arm, 
is  nearly  equal  to  three  arm  joints,  while  second  little  exceeds  one. 
Oral  tentacle  pore  with  one  very  large,  long  oral  scale;  tentacle 
pores  of  arm,  each  with  a  single  small  round  scale.  Color  (dried 
from  alcohol),  disk,  grayish;  arms,  yellowish. 

Locality. — Albatross  station  5084,  off  Sagami  Bay,  Japan,  lat.  34° N. ; 
long.  137°  49'  40"  W.,  918  fathoms,  green  mud,  fine  sand,  globigerina, 
bottom  temperature  36.8°,  1  specimen. 

Type.—Csit.  No.  25538,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  5084. 

Although  this  species  is  near  panniculus,  the  only  species  of  the 
genus  hitherto  known,  it  may  be  distinguished  by  the  very  long 
spines  on  the  upper  side  of  the  basal  arm  joints,  and  by  the  coarser 
and  more  ornamental  scaling  of  the  disk;  the  radial  shields  are  also 
very  much  longer  and  narrower. 

OPHIERNUS  ADSPERSUS. 

Ophiernus  adspersus  LYMAN,  Bull.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  vol.  10,  1883,  p.  236. 
Ophiernus  annectens  LUTKEN  and  MORTENSEN,  Mem.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  vol.  23, 
1899,  p.  107. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  4919,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  30°  34'  N.; 
long.  129°  19'  30"  E.,  440  fathoms,  globigerina  ooze,  bottom  tem- 
perature 31.8°,  1  specimen;  station  4928,  Colnett  Strait,  lat.  29°  51'  N. ; 
long.  131°  2'  30"  E.,  1,008  fathoms,  gray  sand,  globigerina,  bottom 
temperature  36.8°,  1  specimen;  station  4960,  off  southern  Japan,  lat. 
32°  34'  N.;  long.  132°  21'  45"  E.,  578  fathoms,  green-brown  mud, 
fine  gray  sand,  foraminifera,  bottom  temperature  38.7°,  2  specimens; 
station  4966,  off  Japan,  lat.  33°  25'  20"  N.;  long.  135°  36'  20"  E., 
244  to  290  fathoms,  brown  mud,  sand,  foraminifera,  bottom  tempera- 


96 


BULLETIN    75,    UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 


ture  44.1°,  2  specimens.     Bathymetrical  range,  244  to  1,008  fathoms. 
Temperature  range,  44.1°  to  31.8°.     Six  specimens. 

The  most  careful  comparison  of  these  specimens  with  a  large  series 
from  the  West  Indies,  among  which  is  the  type  of  adspersus,  has  failed 
to  bring  to  light  any  character  by  which  they  can  be  distinguished. 
I  have  also  examined  carefully  three  cotypes  of  annectens  and  I  do 
not  find  that  the  characters,  by  which  the  distinguished  Danish 
zoologists  suggested  that  that  species  might  be  recognized,  are  in  any 
degree  reliable.  I  have  therefore  placed  the  name  as  a  synonym  of 
adspersus,  a  conclusion  which  Ltitken  and  Mortensen  themselves  pre- 
dicted might  prove  to  be  correct.  We  have  in  adspersus  then,  an 
intertropical,  if  not  a  cosmopolitan  species,  for  it  has  been  taken  in  the 
West  Indian  region  by  the  Blake,  in  the  eastern  Atlantic  by  the 


FIG.  34.— OPHIERNUS  ADSPERSUS.    X3.33.    a,  FROM  ABOV.E;  6,  FROM  BELOW;  C,SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE  ARM 

JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

Talisman,  in  the  Indian  Ocean  by  the  Investigator,  in  the  East  Indian 
region  by  the  Siboga,  in  the  Galapagian  region  by  the  Fisheries 
steamer  Albatross,  and  finally  off  southern  Japan  by  the  Albatross. 

OPHOCTEN  PACIFICUM. 

Ophiocten  pacificum  LUTKEN  and  MORTENSEN,  Mem.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  vol.  23, 
1899,  p.  131. 

Localities.— Albatross  station  2860,  off  Washington,  lat.  51°  23'  N.; 
long.  130°  34'  W.,  876  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  36.5°, 
1  specimen;  station  3075,  off  Washington,  lat.  47°  22'  N.;  long. 
125°  41 '  W.,  859  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  36.6°,  2 
specimens;  station  3346,  off  Washington,  lat.  45°  30' N. ;  long.  124°  52' 
W.,  786  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  37.3°,  1  specimen; 
station  3696,  off  Honshu  Island,  Japan,  501  to  749  fathoms,  green 
mud,  volcanic  ashes,  sand,  52  specimens;  station  5082,  off  Suruga 
Gulf,  Japan,  lat.  34°  5'  N. ;  long.  137°  59'  E.,  662  fathoms,  green  mud, 
fine  sand,  globigerina,  bottom  temperature  37.7°,  3  specimens;  station 
5083,  off  Suruga  Gulf,  Japan,  lat.  34°  4'  20"  N. ;  long.  137°  57'  30"  E., 
624  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  globigerina,  bottom  temperature  38.1°, 


NOKTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK.          97 

1  specimen;  station  5085,  Sagami  Bay,  Japan,  lat.  35°  6'  45"  K; 
long.  139°  19'  45"  E.,  622  fathoms,  green  mud,  fine  black  sand,  bot- 
tom temperature  37.8°,  3  specimens.  Bathymetrical  range,  501  to 
876  fathoms.  Temperature  range,  38.1°  to  36.5°.  Sixty-three 
specimens. 

These  specimens  have  been  compared  with  specimens  from  the 
Panamic  region  identified  by  Liitken  and  Mortensen,  and  there  seems 
to  be  no  reason  to  doubt  their  identity.  The  largest  specimen  is  14 
mm.  across  the  disk,  the  smallest  only  6  mm. 

OPHIOCTEN  CHARISCHEMA,  new  species.a 

Disk  11  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  70  mm.  long.  Disk  very  flat, 
thin,  deeply  notched  at  the  base  of  the  arms  (radius,  5  mm.  long, 
interradius  6  mm.),  covered  with  a  coat  of  fine,  unequal  scales  which 
are  normally  completely  concealed  by  a  very  dense  covering  of  minute 


a 


FIG.  35.— OPHIOCTEN  CHARISCHEMA.    X5.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE  ARM 

JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

granules,  several  hundred  to  a  square  millimeter.  Radial  shields  also 
completely  hidden.  Upper  arm  plates  tetragonal,  distal  margin  con- 
vex, lateral  margins  divergent;  basal  plates  much  wider  than  long  but 
becoming  longer  than  wide  on  terminal  half  of  arm;  all  are  broadly  in 
contact.  There  is  no  trace  of  an  arm  comb.  Interbrachial  spaces 
below  covered  by  a  coat  of  about  thirty  scales,  among  which  a  few 
minute  granules  are  scattered.  Oral  shields  quite  variable  in  shape, 
but  commonly  longer  than  wide;  usually  they  are  pentagonal,  with 
somewhat  rounded  angles,  and  the  sides  nearly  equal,  but  sometimes 
(as  in  fig.  356)  the  distal  side  is  very  short.  Adoral  and  oral  plates  not 
peculiar,  save  for  bearing  a  few  scattered  granules.  Oral  papillae 
numerous,  about  seven  on  a  side.  Genital  slits  and  scales  short, 
without  marginal  papillae.  First  under  arm  plate  somewhat  octagonal, 
about  as  long  as  wide;  second  plate  more  hexagonal,  distal  margin 
longer  than  proximal;  third  and  fourth  plates  more  tetragonal,  but 

«  Xaplete,  signifying  pleasing,   and  o^fJ-a  (t6),  signifying  form,  in  reference  to  the 
very  graceful  appearance. 

34916°— Bull.  75—11 7 


98  BULLETIN    75,    UNITED   STATES  NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

with  a  short  proximal  margin;  succeeding  plates  very  much  wider  than 
long  and  well  separated  from  each  other.  Side  arm  plates  rather 
small,  widely  separated  above,  but  more  or  less  broadly  in  contact 
below,  outside  of  disk;  each  plate  carries  two  short,  sharp,  subequal 
spines,  a  little  longer  than  half  a  joint,  placed  close  together,  well 
up  on  plate,  but  low  down  on  arm.  Oral  tentacle  pore  opening  into 
mouth  slit,  protected  by  a  very  large  scale  on  inner  side,  and  one  or 
two  smaller  ones  on  outer  side;  latter  directly  continuous  with  oral 
papillae;  first  pore  of  arm  with  two  or  three  scales  on  each  side;  second 
with  about  two  scales;  succeeding  pores  each  with  a  single,  small, 
round  scale.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  dull  yellowish,  pale  gray, 
or  nearly  white. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  3720,  off  Honshu  Island,  Japan,  63 
fathoms,  volcanic  sand,  shells,  1  specimen;  station  4893,  Eastern  Sea, 
lat.  32°  32'  N.;  long.  128°  32'  50"  E.,  95  to  106  fathoms,  gray  sand, 
broken  shells,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  55.9°,  3  specimens; 
station  4900,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  28'  50"  N.;  long.  128°  34'  40"  E., 
139  fathoms,  gray  sand,  broken  shells,  bottom  temperature  52.9°, 
10  specimens;  station  4933,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  30°  59'  N. ;  long.  130°29' 
50"  E.,  152  fathoms,  rocky,  bottom  temperature  56°,  5  specimens; 
station  4934,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  30°  58'  30"  N.;  long.  130°  32'  E., 
103  to  152  fathoms,  rocky,  1  specimen.  Bathymetrical  range,  63  to 
152  fathoms.  Temperature  range,  56°  to  52.9°.  Twenty  specimens. 

Type.— Cat.  No.  25718,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4933. 

This  delicate  and  graceful  species  seems  to  be  very  well  character- 
ized, for  while  it  resembles  0.  depressum  in  many  particulars,  the  oral 
surface  is  different,  the  under  arm  plates  alone  being  quite  sufficient 
to  distinguish  the  two  forms. 

OPHIOCTEN  BREVISPINUM,  new  species,  a 

Disk  9  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  70  mm.  long.  Disk  very  thin 
and  flat,  notched  at  base  of  each  arm,  interradii  being  distinctly 
longer  than  radii ;  it  is  covered  by  a  coat  of  scales  among  which  pri- 
mary plates,  some  large  interradial  scales  and  radial  shields  are 
prominent ;  larger  scales  and  many  smaller  ones  surrounded  by  belts 
of  minute  granules,  giving  disk  a  highly  ornamental  appearance. 
Radial  shields  somewhat  triangular  with  rounded  corners,  longer  than 
wide,  nearly  in  contact  distally.  Upper  arm  plates  tetragonal,  lateral 
margins  somewhat  divergent,  wider  than  long  at  base  of  arm,  but  soon 
becoming  longer  than  wide,  broadly  in  contact,  remarkably  elevated 
or  swollen  at  middle  of  distal  margin,  more  so  than  in  any  other 
species  of  Ophiocten  yet  known.  Interbrachial  spaces  below  covered 

aBrevis,  signifying  short,  and  spinus,  signifying  a  spine,  in  reference  to  the  short 
arm  spines. 


NORTH   PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK.          99 

by  about  twenty-two  large  scales,  with  numerous  granules  along  mar- 
gin and  near  genital  slits.  Oral  shields  small,  pentagonal,  usually 
wider  than  long.  Adoral  and  oral  plates  rather  large,  each  with 
a  few  granules.  Oral  papillae  about  five  on  a  side,  outer  ones  trun- 
cate, inner  ones  pointed.  Genital  slits  short;  genital  scales  rather 
large,  but  without  marginal  papilla? ;  no  trace  of  an  arm  comb.  First 
two  under  arm  plates  longer  than  wide;  next  three  about  as  long  as 
wide ;  succeeding  plates  wider  than  long ;  plates  not  in  contact  beyond 
disk;  first  plate  hexagonal,  succeeding  plates  tetragonal,  becoming 
triangular,  with  outer  corners  rounded.  Side  arm  plates  rather  small, 
not  meeting  above,  but  meeting  below  beyond  disk;  each  plate  carries 
two  short,  thick,  pointed  spines  less  than  half  as  long  as  joint,  placed 
close  together,  high  up  on  plate  but  low  down  on  arm.  Oral  tentacle 
pore  concealed  by  a  huge  lid-like  scale  on  its  outer  side ;  first  arm  pore 
with  one  low,  wide  scale  or  two  smaller  scales  on  each  side;  second 


FIG.  36.—  OPHIOCTEN  BREVISPINUM.    X5.5.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE 

ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

pore  with  two  small  scales;  succeeding  pores  with  only  a  single  small, 
round  scale.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  pale  gray. 

Localities.  —  Albatross  station  4917,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  30°  24'  N.; 
long.  129°  6'  E.,  361  fathoms,  gray  sand,  globigerina,  broken  shells,  2 
specimens. 

Type.—  Cat.  No.  25617,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4917. 

Although  the  general  appearance  of  this  species  is  similar  to  that  of 
charischema,  the  granulation  of  the  disk  is  entirely  different  in  the  two 
species,  and  the  huge  oral  tentacle  scales,  the  short  arm  spines,  and 
the  decidedly  "  humped"  upper  arm  plates  make  brevispinum  very 
easy  to  recognize. 

OPHIOCTEN  OOPLAX,  new  species,  a 

Disk  10  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  65  mm.  long.  Disk  flat, 
nearly  circular,  covered  by  several  hundred  overlapping  scales,  small- 
est near  center  of  disk,  largest  between  radial  shields.  Radial  shields 


a'Qov  signifying  egg,  and  7rM£,  signifying  plate,  in  reference  to  the  oval  upper  arm 
plates. 


100  BULLETIN   75,    UNITED   STATES  NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

curved,  triangular,  twice  as  long  as  wide,  with  distal  end  rounded, 
separated  proximally  by  a  large  group  of  scales  and  distally  by  basal 
upper  arm  plates.  First  three  upper  arm  plates  very  short,  much 
wider  than  long,  crowded  between  distal  ends  of  radial  shields ;  fourth 
plate  longer  and  narrower,  with  a  very  convex  distal  margin ;  succeed- 
ing plates  narrow,  oval,  very  much  longer  than  wide,  only  basal  ones 
or  none  in  contact.  Interbrachial  spaces  below,  covered  by  oral 
shields  and  numerous,  small,  imbricating  scales.  Oral  shields  large, 
broad,  pentagonal,  about  as  wide  as  long,  with  lateral  margins  more 
or  less  concave.  Adoral  plates  long  and  narrow,  wider  within  than 


FIG.  37.— OPHIOCTEN  OSPLAX.    X5.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE  ARM 

JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

without;  oral  plates  large,  nearly  triangular,  markedly  swollen  at  tip. 
Oral  papillae  three  or  four  on  each  side,  narrow  and  pointed.  Genital 
slits  long  and  conspicuous;  genital  scales  narrow;  in  young  speci- 
mens each  scale  carries  a  marginal  series  of  very  minute  papillae, 
which  become  long  enough  on  upper  end  of  scale,  visible  from  above, 
to  form  a  more  or  less  distinct  arm  comb ;  in  adults  this  comb  is  either 
insignificent  or  entirely  wanting,  and  the  genital  scales  are  scarcely 
visible  from  above.  First  under  arm  plate  more  or  less  hexagonal, 
wider  than  long ;  second  plate  more  pentagonal,  with  a  sharp  proximal 
angle  and  outer  corners  rounded ;  succeeding  plates  more  tetragonal 
or  triangular,  very  much  wider  than  long;  only  first  two  or  three 
plates  in  contact.  Side  arm  plates  large,  meeting  above  and  below, 


NORTH   PACIFIC   OPHIUEANS    IK    NATIONAL   MUSEUM — CLARK.       101 

except  at  base  of  arm;  each  plate  carries  three  long,  very  slender, 
acicular  spines,  of  which  uppermost  is  longest,  equaling  one  and  a 
half  joints,  or  at  base  of  arm,  exceeding  two  joints.  Oral  tentacle 
pore  large,  opening  into  mouth  slit,  protected  by  six  to  eight  scales  on 
each  side;  first  three  basal  pores  of  arm,  similar,  though  there  may 
not  be  quite  so  many  tentacle  scales ;  fourth  pore  with  only  three  or 
four  scales;  succeeding  pores  with  a  single  small  scale,  though  there 
may  be  two  on  fifth  and  sixth  pores.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol), 
grayish,  yellowish,  or  nearly  white. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  3704,  off  Honshu  Island,  Japan,  94 
to  150  fathoms,  fine  volcanic  sand,  3  specimens;  station  4906, 
Eastern  Sea,  lat.  31°  39'  N.;  long.  129°  20'  30"  E.,  369  to  406  fath- 
oms, gray  globigerina  ooze,  bottom  temperature  43.4°,  3  specimens; 
station  4907,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  31°  39'  30"  N.;  long.  129°  24'  E.,  406 
fathoms,  gray  globigerina  ooze,  bottom  temperature  42.6°,  5  speci- 
mens; station  4909,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  31°  38'  30"  N.;  long.  129°  27' 
30"  E.,  434  fathoms,  gray  globigerina  ooze,  bottom  temperature  42.9°, 
1  specimen;  station  4912,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  31°  39'  40"  N.;  long.  129° 
20'  E.,  391  fathoms,  gray  globigerina  ooze,  bottom  temperature  41.9°, 
5  specimens;  station  4913,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  31°  39'  10"  N.;  long. 
129°  22'  30"  E.,  391  fathoms,  gray  globigerina  ooze,  bottom  tempera- 
ture 41.9°,  5  specimens;  station  4915,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  31°  3'  N.; 
long.  129°  25'  30"  E.,  427  fathoms,  gray  globigerina  ooze,  broken 
shells,  bottom  temperature  41.9°,  39  specimens;  station  4919, 
Eastern  Sea,  lat.  30°  34'  N.;  long.  129°  19'  30"  E.,  440  fathoms, 
globigerina  ooze,  bottom  temperature  41.8°,  1  specimen;  station 
4965,  off  Eastern  Japan,  lat.  33°  35'  20"  N.;  long.  135°  10'  50"  E., 
191  fathoms,  dark  green-gray  sand,  shells,  bottom  temperature  49.4°, 
28  specimens;  station  4972,  off  Eastern  Japan,  lat.  33°  25'  45"  N.; 
long.  135°  33'  E.,  440  fathoms,  brown-green  mud,  foraminifera, 
bottom  temperature  39.8°,  3  specimens;  station  4980,  off  East- 
ern Japan,  lat.  34°  9'  N.;long.  137°  55'  E.,  507  fathoms,  brown 
mud,  fine  sand,  foraminifera,  bottom  temperature  39°,  1  specimen; 
station  5086,  Sagami  Bay,  lat.  35°  8'  15"  N.;  long.  139°  20'  E.,  292 
fathoms,  green  mud,  coarse,  black  sand,  bottom  temperature  43.7°,  37 
specimens;  station  5087,  Sagami  Bay,  lat.  35°  9'  40"  N.;  long.  139° 
19'  5"  E.,  614  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  37.5°,  1 
specimen.  Bathymetrical  range,  94  to  614  fathoms.  Temperature 
range,  49.4°  to  37.5°.  One  hundred  and  thirty-two  specimens. 

Type.— Cut.  No.  25719,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4972. 

This  species  is  so  easily  recognized  by  the  peculiar  upper  arm  plates, 
that  it  is  not  likely  to  be  confused  with  any  other.  The  smallest 
specimens  have  the  disk  only  5  mm.  across,  but  they  show  very  little 
difference  from  the  adults  save  in  the  greater  prominence  of  their  arm 
combs,  a  peculiarity  referred  to  above. 


102  BULLETIN   75,   UNITED  STATES  NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 

OPHIOPENIA,  new  genus/* 

Disk  covered  with  scales,  many  of  which  may  be  small  and  swollen 
so  as  to  look  like  coarse  grains;  arms  short,  less  than  twice  diameter 
of  disk.  Upper  arm  plates  more  or  less  widely  separated  from  each 
other.  Basal  under  arm  plates  not  in  contact.  Oral  papillae  few, 
large,  and  ill-defined.  Tentacle  scales  none  (except  on  oral  pore) 
though  lowest  arm  spine  may  function  as  one.  Arm  spines  few  and 
short.  Genital  slits  very  minute,  close  beside  first  side  arm  plates. 

Type  species.  —  OpTiiopenia  disacantha. 

This  is  a  very  curious  and  interesting  genus,  the  relationship  of 
which  is  quite  obscure.  I  am  inclined  to  the  opinion  that  it  is  perhaps 
as  near  Ophiozona  as  it  is  to  any  genus  now  known,  but  the  relation- 
ship even  with  that  genus  is  certainly  not  close.  The  distribution  of 
the  genus  appears  to  be  very  restricted,  as  it  has  been  taken  only  once 
outside  Bering  Sea  and  the  vicinity  of  the  Aleutian  Islands.  Most  of 
the  specimens  were  taken  in  quite  shallow  water,  but  a  few  were  col- 
lected at  depths  of  100  to  225  fathoms.  Cold  water  seems  to  be  an 
essential  feature  of  the  habitat,  as  the  temperature  range  is  only  from 
43°  down-. 

OPHIOPENIA  DISACANTHA,  new  species,  b 

Disk  10  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  15  mm.  long.  Disk  pentag- 
onal, flat,  covered  with  hundreds  of  small  angular  scales,  among 
which  the  centrodorsal  and  a  marginal  plate  in  each  interradius  are 
quite  distinct  (in  younger  individuals,  fig.  38a,  larger  radial  plates 
are  easily  distinguished  and  the  radial  shields  may  be  very  conspicu- 
ous). Radial  shields  entirely  concealed  beneath  the  coat  of  small 
scales,  or  if  visible,  widely  separated  and  much  longer  than  wide. 
Upper  arm  plates  transversely  oval,  much  wider  than  long,  those  on 
basal  half  of  arm  separated  from  each  other  and  completely  sur- 
rounded by  numerous  minute  scales  like  those  of  disk;  these  scales 
extend  far  down  on  each  side  between  side  arm  plates.  Interbrachial 
spaces  below  densely  covered  by  minute  angular  plates,  which  may 
even  extend  a  little  ways  onto  under  surface  of  arm.  Genital  slits 
very  minute,  crescent-shaped,  lying,  one  on  each  side,  against  inner 
corner  of  first  side  arm  plate;  genital  scales  completely  hidden.  Oral 
shields  small,  transversely  oval.  Adoral  plates  very  large,  oblong  but 
nearly  as  wide  as  long.  Oral  plates  ill-defined  swollen  into  a  sort  of 
knob  at  proximal  end,  which  looks  like  an  oral  papilla.  Oral  papillae 
ill-defined,  apparently  two  on  a  side,  outer  flatter,  inner  more  round 
and  swollen;  at  apex  of  jaw  there  are  from  one  to  several  indistinct 


,  signifying  snake,  and  xev'ea,  signifying  poverty,  in  reference  to  the  lack  of 
tentacle  scales  and  the  small  number  of  oral  papillae,  and  in  keeping  with  the  custom- 
ary formation  of  ophiuroid  genera. 

&  J/f,  signifying  twice,  double,  and  oKavda,  signifying  spine,  in  reference  to  the  pres- 
ence of  only  two  arm  spines. 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK.       103 

swellings,  which  might  perhaps  be  considered  tooth  papillae,  but  their 
real  nature  is  very  doubtful.  First  under  arm  plate  very  small,  pen- 
tagonal, wider  than  long;  succeeding  plates  pentagonal  or  squarish, 
soon  becoming  roundish  and  more  or  less  swollen,  in  contact  with  each 
other  outside  disk.  Side  arm  plates  moderate,  but  concealed  above 
and,  in  part,  on  sides  of  arm,  on  basal  half,  by  granules;  eachjplate 
carries  two  short,  stout  spines,  low  down,  near  under  side  of  arm; 
upper  spine  very  short  and  thick,  nearly  spherical,  about  one-third 
as  long  as  joint;  lower  spine  a  trifle  longer,  not  quite  so  stout,  and 
placed  just  proximal  to  tentacle,  where  it  apparently  functions  as  a 
tentacle  scale.  Oral  tentacle  pore  concealed  by  a  single  large  scale  of 
very  variable  shape,  sometimes  nearly  circular,  more  often  truncate 
and  wide,  like  an  outer  oral  papilla;  between  the  two  pores,  in  the 


FIG.  38.— OPHIOPENIA  DISACANTHA.    a,  YOUNG,  X7;  b-d,  ADULT,  X5.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  FROM  ABOVE; 
c,  FROM  BELOW;  d,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE  ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

midline  of  the  arm,  there  projects  a  thick,  plate-like  outgrowth,  which 
is  sometimes  double  and  apparently  acts  as  an  inner  scale  for  both 
pores.  Tentacle  pores  of  arm  without  tentacle  scales  but  protected 
by  lower  arm  spine.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol) ,  yellowish  or  very 
light  grayish. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  2849,  off  Alaska,  lat.  55°  16'  N.;  long. 
160°  28'  W.,  69  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  43°,  1  spec- 
imen; station  2852,  off  Alaska,  lat.  55°  15'  N.;  long.  159°  37'  W.,  58 
fathoms,  black  sand,  bottom  temperature  41.8°,  1  specimen;  station 
2854,  off  Alaska,  lat.  56°  55'  N.;  long.  153°  4'  W.,  60  fathoms,  black 
sand,  bottom  temperature  42.8°,  1  specimen;  station  3227,  Bering 
Sea,  lat.  54°  36'  30"  N.;  long.  166°  54'  W.,  225  fathoms,  green  mud, 
bottom  temperature,  38.6°,  1  specimen;  station  3312,  Bering  Sea,  lat. 


104  BULLETIN   75,    UNITED  STATES   NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 

53°  59'  11"  N.;  long.  166°  25'  9"  W.,  45  fathoms,  fine  sand,  mud,  bot- 
tom temperature  43°,  2  specimens;  station  3313,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54° 
1'  51"  N. ;  long.  166°  27'  38"  W.,  68  fathoms,  fine  black  sand,  bottom 
temperature  42.7°,  1  specimen;  station  3483,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  57°  18' 
N.;  long.  171°  18'  W.,  56  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature 
36.8°,  1  specimen;  station  3609,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  55°  35'  N. ;  long.  168° 
20'  W.,  74  fathoms,  green  mud,  sand,  bottom  temperature  37.9°,  3 
specimens;  station  4812,  Sea  of  Japan,  lat.  38°  31'  N.;  long.  138°  40' 
E.,  176  to  200  fathoms,  fine  brown  mud,  bottom  temperature  34.9°,  2 
specimens;  Captains  Harbor,  Unalaska,  9  to  14  fathoms,  4  specimens; 
Port  Etches,  Alaska,  12  to  18  fathoms,  3  specimens;  between  Icy  Cape 
and  Cape  Lisburne,  1  specimen.  Bathymetrical  range,  9  to  225  fath- 
oms. Temperature  range,  43°  to  34.9°.  Twenty-one  specimens. 

Type.— Cat.  No.  25540,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  3312. 

A  very  interesting  feature  of  this  curious  little,  brittle  star  is  the 
way  in  which  the  radial  shields  become  concealed  with  advancing  age. 
It  is  only  in  the  largest  specimen  that  they  are  completely  covered, 
and  in  many  specimens  they  are  conspicuous.  There  is  also  much 
diversity  in  the  distinctness  of  the  five  primary  radial  plates  which  in 
some  specimens  are  very  noticeable.  In  the  smallest  specimen,  which 
is  6  mm.  across  the  disk,  the  six  primary  plates,  the  radial  shields,  and 
the  interradial  marginal  plates  are  all  very  conspicuous. 

OPHIOPENIA  TETRACANTHA,  new  species.a 

Disk  6  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  nearly  10  mm.  long.  Disk  pentago- 
nal, flat  or  somewhat  elevated,  covered  with  round,  swollen,  granule- 
like  plates  among  which  the  flat  primary  plates,  radial  shields  and 
marginal  plates  are  usually  conspicuous;  a  second  interradial  plate 
and  three  plates  in  a  longitudinal  series  between  the  radial  shields  of 
each  pair  may  also  be  distinguished  in  many  specimens.  Radial 
shields  very  narrow  and  often  more  or  less  concealed.  Upper  arm 
plates  somewhat  swollen,  transversely  oval,  well  separated;  granular 
scales  of  disk  do  not  extend  out  around  the  arm  plates;  toward  tip  of 
arm,  plates  become  triangular.  Interbrachial  spaces  below  covered 
by  a  scaling  similar  to  that  of  disk.  Genital  slits  very  minute,  cres- 
centic,  at  each  inner  corner  of  first  side  arm  plates;  genital  scales 
concealed.  Oral  shields  transversely  oval,  small.  Adoral  plates 
squarish,  each  one  nearly  as  large  as  oral  shield.  Oral  plates  ill 
defined  but  with  a  knob-like  swelling  on  proximal  end.  Oral  papillae 
small,  ill  defined  and  of  variable  shape,  probably  two  on  each  side 
and  perhaps  an  unpaired  one  at  apex  of  jaw.  First  under  arm  plate 
somewhat  pentagonal,  about  as  wide  as  long;  succeeding  plates 

a  Te-cpa  (combining  form  of  reaoapef},  signify  ing  four,  and  arcavda,  signifying  spine, 
in  reference  to  the  number  of  arm  spines. 


NORTH   PACIFIC   OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM — CLARK.       105 

larger,  swollen,  wider  than  long,  oblong  with  rounded  corners,  becom- 
ing triangular,  all  well  separated  from  each  other.  Side-arm  plates 
swollen,  not  meeting  above  or  below,  at  least  on  basal  half  of  arm; 
each  plate  carries  four  well  developed,  thick,  blunt  arm  spines;  up- 
permost, longest,  rather  more  than  half  as  long  as  joint;  lowest,  close 
to  tentacle  pore  and  apparently  functioning  as  a  tentacle  scale.  _Oral 
tentacle  pores  provided  with  a  very  long,  stout  and  .conspicuous  ten- 
tacle scale  on  outer  side;  inner  side  protected  by  a  conspicuous 
median  projection  between  the  two  pores.  Tentacle  pores  of  arm 
round  and  conspicuous,  but  with  no  tentacle  scales.  Color  (dried 


FIG.  ;i9.— OPHIOPENIA  TETEACANTHA.    X8.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  FKOM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE 

ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

from  alcohol),  dull  purplish  brown  or  less  commonly  light  yellowish- 
brown. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  2854,  off  Alaska,  lat.  56°  55'  N. ;  long. 
153°  4'  W.,  60  fathoms,  black  sand,  bottom  temperature  42.8°,  2 
specimens;  station  3279,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  56°  25'  40"  N.;  long.  162° 
39'  15"  W.,  41  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  37°,  1 
specimen.  Captains  Harbor,  Unalaska,  9  to  14  fathoms,  5  specimens; 
same  harbor,  60  to  80  fathoms,  2  specimens;  Port  LevashefF,  3  speci- 
mens; W.  of  Amaknak  Island,  60  fathoms,  7  specimens;  Chagafka 
cove,  Kadiak,  12  to  20  fathoms,  330  specimens;  Nazan  Bay,  Atka, 
38  specimens;  between  Icy  Cape  and  Cape  Krusenstern,  1  specimen. 
Bathymetrical  range,  12  to  80  fathoms.  Temperature  range  42.8°  to 
37°.  Three  hundred  and  eighty-nine  specimens. 

Type.— Cat.  No.  25597,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  3279. 

Although  this  species  occurs  in  the  same  locality,  and  sometimes 
even  at  the  same  station,  as  the  preceding,  it  can  not  be  confused  with 
it,  for  the  two  may  be  distinguished  at  once  by  the  difference  in  the 
arm  spines.  Even  the  smallest  specimen  of  tetracantha,  with  a  disk 
diameter  of  only  3  mm.,  has  four  spines  on  one  joint,  three  on  the 


106  BULLETIN   75,   UNITED  STATES  NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 

others.  The  difference  between  the  two  species  in  the  nature  of  the 
disk  scales  is  also  very  constant.  It  is  interesting  to  find  two  such 
closely  allied,  yet  very  distinct  species,  occupying  the  same  area. 

OPHIOMUSIUM  CANCELLATUM. 

Ophiomusium  cancellation  LYMAN,  Bull.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  vol.  5, 1878,  p.  111. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  3718,  off  Ose  Zaki,  Japan,  65  fathoms, 
volcanic  sand,  shells,  rocks,  1  specimen;  station  3738,  off  Port  Heda, 
Japan,  168  fathoms,  stiff  blue  mud,  1  specimen;  station  4928,  in 
Colnett  Strait,  lat,  29°  51'  N.;  long.  131°  2'  30"  E.,  1,008  fathoms, 
gray  sand,  globigerina,  bottom  temperature  36.8°,  3  specimens; 
station  4959,  off  eastern  Japan,  lat.  32°  36'  30"  N. ;  long.  132°  23'  20" 
E.,  405  to  578  fathoms,  green-brown  mud,  fine  gray  sand,  foraminifera, 
1  specimen;  station  4965,  off  eastern  Japan,  lat.  33°  35'  20"  N.;  long. 
135°  10'  50"  E.,  191  fathoms,  dark  green-gray  sand,  shells,  bottom 
temperature  49.4°,  4  specimens;  station  5059,  Suruga  Gulf,  Japan, 
lat.  35°  5'  30"  N.;  long.  138°  39'  50"  E.,  197  to  297  fathoms,  gray 
sand,  bottom  temperature  45°,  1  specimen;  station  5079,  off  Omai 
Saki,  lat.  34°  15'  N.;  long.  138°  E.,  475  to  505  fathoms,  pebbles,  bot- 
tom temperature  39.1°,  1  specimen;  station  5088,  Sagami  Bay,  lat. 
35°  11'  25"  N.;  long.  139°  28'  20"  E.,  369  to  405  fathoms,  green  mud, 
bottom  temperature  41.8°,  2  specimens;  station  5091,  Uraga  Strait, 
lat.  35°  4'  10"  N.;  long.  139°  38'  12"  E.,  197  fathoms,  green  mud, 
coarse  black  sand,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  47.6°,  2  specimens. 
Bathymetrical  range,  65  to  1,008  fathoms.  Temperature  range,  49.4° 
to  36.8°.  Sixteen  specimens. 

These  specimens  range  in  diameter  of  disk  from  5  to  16  mm.,  and 
are  therefore  both  larger  and  smaller  than  Lyman's  type.  They  show 
considerable  diversity  in  the  form  of  the  oral  shields,  the  length  of  the 
arm  spines  and  in  other  details,  but  on  the  whole,  they  agree  so  well 
with  Lyman's  description  and  figures,  I  feel  no  doubt  of  their  identity. 
The  number  of  arm  spines  in  young  specimens  is  often  only  three  or 
two,  even  at  the  base  of  the  arm.  Although  apparently  not  a  very 
common,  or  widely  distributed  form,  this  species  has  a  notable  bathy- 
metrical  range. 

OPHIOMUSIUM  LAQUEATUM. 

Ophiomusium  laqueatum  LYMAN,  Bull.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  vol.  5, 1878,  p.  113. 

Localities.— Albatross  station  4934,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  30°  58'  30"  N.; 
long.  130°  32'  E.,  103  to  152  fathoms,  rocky,  bottom  temperature  56° 
to  60.6°,  1  specimen;  station  4936,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  30°  54'  40"  N.; 
long.  130°  37'  30"  E.,  103  fathoms,  stones,  bottom  temperature  60.6°, 
1  specimen.  Bathymetrical  range,  103  to  152  fathoms.  Tempera- 
ture range,  60.6°  to  56°.  Two  specimens. 

These  specimens  agree  well  with  Lyman's  description  and  figures. 
One  is  13  mm.,  the  other  18  mm.,  across  the  disk.  In  both,  the  arms 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK.       107 

are  badly  broken  and  the  uppermost  arm  spine  is  missing  from  most 
of  the  remaining  joints.  Perhaps  this  is  due  to  the  character  of  the 
bottom  from  which  they  were  dredged. 

OPHIOMUSIUM  LUTKENI. 

Ophiomusium  liitkeni  LYMAN,  Bull.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  vol.  5, 1878,  p.  114. 

Localities.— Albatross  station  4900,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  28/50'/  N.; 
long.  128°  34'  40"  E.,  139  fathoms,  gray  sand,  broken  shells,  bottom 
temperature  52.9°,  5  specimens;  station  4933,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  30° 
59'  N.;  long.  130°  29'  50"  E.,  152  fathoms, rocky, bottom  temperature 
56°,  3  specimens.  Bathymetrical  range,  139  to  152  fathoms.  Tem- 
perature range,  56°  to  52.9°.  Eight  specimens. 

I  have  compared  these  specimens  with  a  cotype  of  luikeni  and 
although  there -are  slight  differences,  I  think  it  safe  to  call  them  that 
species.  In  the  luikeni  from  Challenger  station  192  (off  Kei  Islands, 
Arafura  Sea),  many  grains  of  sand  and  shells  of  foraminifera  still 
remain  attached  to  the  specimens,  and  the  whole  surface  of  disk  and 
arms  is  pitted  as  though  by  the  pressure  of  similar  bodies  when  the 
epidermal  covering  was  soft.  I  am  unable  to  decide  whether  this 
appearance  is  natural  or  artificial,  but  at  any  rate  the  Japanese 
specimens  are  not  so  pitted.  In  the  latter,  too,  the  arm  spines  are 
longer  and  the  arm-plates  a  little  more  swollen,  but  these  differences 
are  slight  and  variable.  The  Albatross  specimens  have  the  disk  10  to 
13  mm.  in  diameter  and  are  light  brown  in  color. 

OPHIOMUSIUM  LUNARE. 

Ophiomusium  lunare  LYMAN,  Bull.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  vol.  5,  1878,  p.  116. 

Locality.— Albatross  station  4934,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  30°  58'  30"  N.; 
long.  130°  32'  E.,  103  to  152  fathoms,  rocky,  bottom  temperature, 
60.6°  to  56°,  7  specimens. 

The  disk  diameter  of  these  specimens  ranges  from  6  to  13  mm.; 
they  are  thus  larger  than  the  Challenger  specimen,  but  none  of  them 
is  so  large  as  the  largest  taken  by  the  Siboga.  The  species  is  remark- 
ably well  characterized  and  correspondingly  easy  to  recognize. 
There  is  very  little  difference  in  appearance  between  the  smallest 
and  largest  specimens,  even  in  the  number  and  arrangement  of  the 
disk  scales;  only  in  the  larger  specimens,  the  basal  side  arm  plates 
carry  some  minute  scattered  spinelets  above  the  regulation  pair. 

OPHIOMUSIUM  LYMANI. 

Ophiomusium  lymani  WYVILLE  THOMSON,  The  Depths  of  the  Sea,  1873,  p.  172. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  3074,  off  Washington,  lat.  47°  22'  N.; 
long.  125°  48'  30"  W.,  877  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature 
36.6°,  29  specimens;  station  3075,  off  Washington,  lat.  47°  22'  N.; 
125°  41'  W.,  859  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  36.6°, 


108  BULLETIN   75,    UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

6  specimens;  station  3342,  off  British  Columbia,  lat.  52°  29'  30"  N.; 
long.  132°  38'  W.,  1,588  fathoms,  gray  ooze,  coarse  sand,  bottom  tem- 
perature 35.3°,  24  specimens;  station  3704,  off  Honshu  Island, 
Japan,  94  to  150  fathoms,  fine  volcanic  sand,  5  specimens;  station 
4933,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  30°  59'  N. ;  long.  138°  29'  50"  E.,  152  fathoms, 
rocky,  bottom  temperature  56°,  38  specimens;  station  4956,  off  eastern 
Japan,  lat.  32° 32'  N. ;  long.  132°  25'  E.,  720  fathoms,  green-brown  mud, 
fine  gray  sand,  foraminifera,  bottom  temperature  37.5°,  10  specimens; 
station  4969,  off  eastern  Japan,  lat.  33°  23'  40"  N. ;  long.  135°  38'  E., 
587  fathoms,  brown  mud,  sand,  stones,  bottom  temperature  38.9°, 
6  specimens;  station  4971,  off  eastern  Japan,  lat.  33°  23'  30"  N.; 
long.  135°  34'  E.,  649  fathoms,  brown-green  mud,  foraminifera, 
bottom  temperature  38.1°,  7  specimens;  station  4976,  off  eastern 
Japan,  lat.  33°  22'  50"  N. ;  long.  135°  38'  30"  E.,  544  to  545  fathoms, 
brown  mud,  small  stones,  bottom  temperature  38.7°,  3  specimens; 
station  4977,  off  eastern  Japan,  lat.  33°  23'  N.;  long.  135°  37'  40"  E., 
544  fathoms,  brown  mud,  fine  sand,  bottom  temperature  38.9°,  1 
specimen;  station  4980,  off  eastern  Japan,  lat.  34°  9'  N.;  long.  137° 
55'  E.,  507  fathoms,  brown  mud,  fine  sand,  foraminifera,  bottom 
temperature  39°,  6  specimens;  station  5082,  off  Omai  Saki,  Japan, 
lat.  34°  5'  N.;  long.  137°  59'  E.,  662  fathoms,  green  mud,  fine  sand, 
globigerina,  bottom  temperature  37.7°,  14  specimens;  station  5083, 
off  Omai  Saki,  Japan,  lat.  34°  4'  20"  N.;  long.  137°  57'  30"  E.,  624 
fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  globigerina,  bottom  temperature  38.1°,  20 
specimens ;  station  5084,  off  Omai  Saki,  Japan,  lat.  34°  N. ;  long.  137°  49' 
40"  E.,  918  fathoms,  green  mud,  fine  sand,  globigerina,  bottom  tem- 
perature 36.8°,  6  specimens;  station  5092,  Uraga  Strait,  lat.  35°  4' 
50"  N.;  long.  139°  38'  18"  E.,  70  fathoms,  coarse  black  sand,  bottom 
temperature  56.3°,  7  specimens.  Bathymetrical  range,  70  to  1,588 
fathoms.  Temperature  range,  56.3°  to  35.3°.  One  hundred  and 
eighty-two  specimens. 

This  is  a  fine  series  of  this  cosmopolitan  species,  already  known 
from  many  of  the  deeper  parts  of  the  sea,  but  not  previously  recorded 
from  the  North  Pacific.  The  specimens  range  in  disk  diameter  from 
6.5  to  35  mm.,  and  show  considerable  diversity  of  form  and  structure. 
The  largest  specimen  is  circular  and  very  flat,  the  vertical  diameter 
of  the  disk  being  only  7.5  mm.,  or  21  per  cent  of  the  horizontal,  while 
another  specimen,  30  mm.  in  diameter,  is  pentagonal  and  10  mm. 
thick,  the  vertical  diameter  therefore  being  33  per  cent  of  the  hori- 
zontal. The  various  differences  noted  are  not  very  important  nor 
are  they  sufficiently  constant  to  be  of  systematic  use.  But  this 
species  would  certainly  prove  an  excellent  subject  for  careful  com- 
parative study  of  variation  in  widely  separated  geographical  areas. 
The  bathy metrical  range  is  no  less  remarkable  than  the  geographical. 


NORTH   PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK.       109 

OPHIOMUSIUM  SIMPLEX. 

Ophiomusium  simplex  LYMAN,  Bull.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  vol.  5,  1878,  p.  115. 
Ophiomusium  sanctum  KCEHLER,  Siboga  Oph.  Mer  Prof.,  1904,  p.  59. 

Localities.— Albatross  station  4888,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  26'  N.; 
long.  129°  27'  30"  E.,  71  fathoms,  dark  gray  sand,  broken  shells, 
bottom  temperature  59.7°,  1  specimen;  station  4893,  Eastern  Sea, 
lat.  32°  32'  N.;  long.  128°  32'  50"  E.,  95  to  106  fathoms,  gray  sand, 
broken  shells,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  55.9°,  2  specimens; 
station  4894,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  33'  N.;  long.  128°  32'  10"  E.,  95 
fathoms,  green  sand,  broken  shells,  pebbles,  2  specimens;  station 
4895,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  33'  10"  N.;  long.  128°  32'  10"  E.,  95 
fathoms,  green  sand,  broken  shells,  pebbles,  1  specimen;  station 
4903,  Eastern Sea,lat.32°  31'  10"  N. ;  long.  128°  33'  20"  E.,  107  to  139 
fathoms,  gray  sand,  broken  shells,  7  specimens;  station  4936,  Eastern 
Sea,  lat.  30°  54'  40"  N.;  long.  130°  37'  30"  E.,  103  fathoms,  stones, 
bottom  temperature  60.6°,  3  specimens.  Bathymetrical  range,  71  to 
139  fathoms.  Temperature  range,  60.6°  to  55.9°.  Sixteen  specimens. 

As  these  specimens  range  in  size  from  4  to  14  mm.  across  the  disk, 
they  serve  to  connect  Lyman's  single  specimen  of  simplex  (disk 
diameter,  6  mm.)  with  Koehler's  specimens  of  sanctum  (disk  diam- 
eter, 10  to  19  mm.).  The  specimen  4  mm.  across  is  almost  exactly 
like  Lyman's  description  and  figures,  while  the  largest  specimen 
answers  too  well  to  Koshler's  to  permit  any  doubt  as  to  its  identity. 
It  is  clear,  therefore,  that  in  this  species  the  growth  changes  involve 
an  increasing  swelling  of  the  disk  plates,  especially  the  marginal  ones, 
a  wide  separation  of  the  radial  shields,  a  greater  or  less  separation 
of  the  five  primary  radial  plates,  an  increase  in  the  number  of  disk 
scales,  the  addition  of  two  plates  in  the  interbrachial  space  below, 
and  often,  but  not  always,  the  addition  of  a  third  arm  spine.  On 
the  other  hand,  there  is  absolutely  no  change  in  the  under  arm  plates 
and  tentacle  pores,  and  practically  none  in  the  upper  arm  plates, 
oral  shields,  and  mouth  parts.  These  facts  are  of  importance  in 
determining  the  validity  of  species  within  the  genus,  and  their  rela- 
tionship with  each  other. 

OPHIOMUSIUM  TRYCHNUM,  new  species.a 

Disk  18  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  70  mm.  long.  Disk  some- 
what elevated,  6  mm.  thick,  covered  with  about  one  hundred  and 
fifty  scales,  of  which  the  six  primary  plates,  three  large  plates  in 
each  interradius  and  three  smaller  ones  in  each  radius,  are  most 
conspicuous.  Each  of  these  is  swollen  into  a  large  central  tubercle, 
or  flattened,  elevated  area.  Kadial  shields  large,  much  longer  than 

a  Tpu%vo£,  signifying  rough,  rugged,  in  reference  to  the  lumpy  disk  scales. 


110 


BULLETIN    75,    UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 


wide,  with  central  area  thick  and  elevated;  surface  more  or  less 
tuberculous  or  rough.  Interradial  marginal  plates  of  disk  with 
conspicuous  tubercles;  three  or  four  similar  plates  distal  to  radial 
shields  at  base  of  arm.  First  upper  arm  plate  oblong,  wider  than 
long ;  second  and  third  triangular  and  somewhat  swollen ;  succeeding 
plates  to  tip  of  arm,  minute,  triangular.  Interbrachial  spaces  below 
covered  by  oral  shield,  genital  scales  and  six  or  seven  plates  (in 
each  space),  of  which  the  marginal  are  greatly  swollen;  exact 
arrangement  of  these  plates  variable;  much  smaller  plates  usually 
scattered  among  them.  Oral  shields  somewhat  triangular,  longer 
than  wide,  very  flat.  Adoral  plates  large,  wider  without  than 

within;  oral  plates  small. 
Oral  papillae  about  five  on  a 
side,  outermost  much  the 
largest;  a  pointed  one  at 
apex  of  jaw.  Genital  slits 
short,  but  genital  scales 
long  and  broad.  First 
under  arm  plate  small, 
somewhat  hexagonal ;  sec- 
ond and  third  more  octag- 
onal or  even  enneagonal, 
second  longer  than  wide, 
third  about  as  wide  as  long; 
first  and  second  and  second 
and  third  plates  in  contact; 
succeeding  plates  small  and 
triangular,  but  persistent  to 
end  of  .  arm.  Side  arm 
plates  very  large,  somewhat 
swollen,  broadly  in  contact 
riG.4o.-opHioMusiuMTBYCHNUM.  x3.  «,  FROM  ABOVE;  above  and  below ;  each  plate 

6,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO  ARM  JOINTS  NEAR     carries    five     or     six     short, 

blunt,  irregularly  spaced  arm 

spines,  scarcely  one-third  as  long  as  joint.  Tentacle  pores  small, 
covered  by  a  single  scale,  and  confined  to  first  and  second  joints  of 
arm.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  yellow-brown,  dull  brownish,  or 
nearly  white. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  3661,  off  Uki  Shima,  Gulf  of  Tokyo, 
Japan,  169  fathoms,  mud,  pebbles,  2  specimens;  station  3704,  off 
Seno  Umi,  Japan,  94  to  150  fathoms,  fine  volcanic  sand,  1  specimen; 
station  4959,  off  eastern  Japan,  lat.  32°  36'  30"  N.;  long.  132°  23' 
20"  E.,  405  to  578  fathoms,  green-brown  mud,  fine  gray  sand,  for- 
aminifera,  1  specimen;  station  4965,  off  eastern  Japan,  lat.  33°  35' 
20"  N.;  long.  135°  10'  50"  E.,  191  fathoms,  dark  green-gray  sand, 


NORTH    PACIFIC   OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK.       Ill 

shells,  bottom  temperature  49.4°,  4  specimens;  station  5069,  Suruga 
Gulf,  lat.  35°  3'  10"  N.;  long.  138°  47'  E.,  108  to  131  fathoms,  mud, 
sand,  broken  shells,  bottom  temperature  55.8°,  2  specimens;  station 
5091,  Uraga  Strait,  lat.  35°  4'  10"  N.;  long.  139°  38'  12"  E.,  197 
fathoms,  green  mud,  coarse  black  sand,  pebbles,  bottom  tempera- 
ture 47.6°,  7  specimens;  station  5092,  Uraga  Strait,  lat.  35°  4_'  50" 
N.;  long.  139°  38'  18"  E.,  70  fathoms,  coarse  black  sand,  bottom 
temperature  56.3°,  2  specimens;  station  5093,  Uraga  Strait,  lat. 
35°  3'  15"  N.;  long.  139°  37'  42"  E.,  302  fathoms,  coarse  black 
sand,  bottom  temperature  43.9°,  1  specimen;  station  5094,  Uraga 
Strait,  lat.  35°  4'  42"  N.;  long.  139°  38'  20"  E.,  88  fathoms,  black 
sand,  broken  shells,  bottom  temperature  54.8°,  16  specimens.  Bathy- 
metrical  range,  70  to  578  fathoms.  Temperature  range,  56.3°  to 
43.9°.  Thirty-six  specimens. 

Type.— Cat.  No.  25646,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  5069. 

The  smallest  specimen  has  the  disk  7  mm.  in  diameter.  It  differs 
from  the  large  ones  in  having  fewer,  less  swollen,  but  more  tuber- 
culous disk  scales,  radial  shields  in  contact  near  middle,  only  one 
or  three  scales  in  interbrachial  space  distal  to  oral  shield,  and  only 
three  or  four  arm  spines.  The  growth  changes,  therefore,  are  the 
same  in  this  species  as  in  simplex,  which  is  apparently  the  nearest 
ally  of  trychnum,  but  from  which  it  is  easily  distinguished  by  the 
persistence  of  the  under  arm  plates,  the  much  rougher  disk  and  the 
number  of  arm  spines.  I  know  of  no  other  species  with  which 
trychnum  is  likely  to  be  confused. 

OPHIOMUSIUM  JOLLIENSIS. 

Ophiomusium  jolliensis  MCCLENDON,  Univ.  of  California  Publ.,  Zool.,  vol.  6,  1909, 
no.  3,  p.  36. 

Disk  21  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  50  to  55  mm.  long.  Disk  rela- 
tively thin  and  flat,  covered  with  numerous  scales,  among  which 
only  a  big  marginal  plate  in  each  interradius  and  the  radial  shields 
are  prominent.  Radial  shields  much  longer  than  wide,  well  sep- 
arated. Distal  to  each  radial  shield,  on  side  of  base  of  arm,  are 
numerous  coarse,  granule-like  scales.  First  two  or  three  upper  arm 
plates  decidedly  wider  than  long,  but  succeeding  plates  are  longer 
than  wide ;  at  first  rounded  pentagonal,  but  soon  becoming  diamond- 
shape.  Near  tip  of  arm  the  plates  are  very  minute,  nearly  trian- 
gular, and  about  as  wide  as  long;  only  first  three  to  six  in  contact. 
Interbrachial  spaces  below  covered  by  numerous  scales,  of  which  a 
median  series  and  those  near  margin  are  somewhat  larger  than 
others.  Oral  shields  small,  much  longer  than  wide,  narrower  dis- 
tally  than  proximally.  Adoral  plates  short  and  wide,  lying  beside, 
instead  of  proximal  to,  oral  shield ;  oral  plates  small.  Oral  papillae 
small,  six  to  seven  on  a  side,  outermost  largest;  an  odd  one  at 


112  BULLETIN    75,    UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 

apex  of  jaw.  Genital  slits  remarkably  long  and  conspicuous,  reach- 
ing from  middle  of  oral  shield  to  fourth  joint  of  arm.  First  under 
arm  plate  very  small,  hexagonal,  about  as  long  as  wide;  next 
two  or  three  plates  somewhat  pentagonal,  wider  than  long;  suc- 
ceeding plates  small,  pentagonal  or  triangular,  becoming  minute, 
diamond-shaped.  Side  arm  plates  moderate,  little  swollen,  meeting 
broadly  below,  and  above  except  at  base  of  arm.  Each  plate  car- 
ries three  small,  blunt  spines,  close  together,  low  down  on  the  plate, 
but  on  the  basal  joints  there  may  be  only  two,  one,  or  none. 
Tentacle  pores  on  second,  third,  and  fourth  joints  of  arm  small, 
protected  usually  by  one,  rarely  by  two,  scales.  Color  (dried  from 
alcohol),  pale  yellowish,  or  light  brown. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  3104,  off  California,  lat.  37°  23'  N.; 
long.  123°  8'  W.,  391  fathoms,  clay,  bottom  temperature  40.8°,  1 


FIG.  41.— OPHIOMUSIUM  JOLLIENSIS.    X2.5.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE 

ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

specimen;  station  3126,  off  California,  lat.  36°  49'  20"  N.;  long. 
122°  12'  30"  W.,  456  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature? 
(42.8),  145  specimens;  station  3347,  off  Washington,  lat.  45°  9'  35" 
N.;  long.  124°  45'  W.,  345  fathoms,  mud,  bottom  temperature  40.9°, 
21  specimens;  station  3738,  off  Port  Heda,  Japan,  167  fathoms, 
stiff  blue  mud,  3  specimens;  station  4965,  off  eastern  Japan,  lat. 
33°  35'  20"  N.;  long.  135°  10'  50"  E.,  191  fathoms,  dark  green- 
gray  sand,  shells,  bottom  temperature  49.4°,  11  specimens;  station 
5079,  off  eastern  Japan,  lat.  34°  15'  N.;  long.  138°  E.,  475  to  505 
fathoms,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  39.1°,  1  specimen;  station 
5091,  Uraga  Strait,  Japan,  lat.  35°  4'  10"  N.;  long.  139°  38'  12"  E., 
197  fathoms,  green  mud,  coarse  black  sand,  pebbles,  bottom  tem- 
perature 47.6°,  11  specimens.  Locality?,  1  specimen.  Bathymet- 
rical  range,  167  to  505  fathoms.  Temperature  range,  49.4°  to  39.1°. 
One  hundred  and  ninety-four  specimens. 

Although  this  species  is  closely  allied  to  cancellatum,  armigerum, 
and  eburneum,  it  may  be  at  once  distinguished  from  any  of  these 
species  by  the  combination  of  long  genital  slits  with  the  very 


NORTH   PACIFIC   OPHIUBANS    IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK.       113 

peculiar  oral  shields  and  the  three  pairs  of  tentacle  pores.  The 
smallest  specimen  (10  mm.  across  the  disk)  differs  from  the  large 
only  in  having  the  primary  plates  of  the  disk  distinguishable  and 
in  there  being  only  two  arm  spines  on  many  of  the  joints.  As  my 
description  and  figures  of  this  species  were  prepared  before  the  publi- 
cation of  McClendon's  paper,  and  as  they  are  taken  from  much  larger 
specimens,  it  has  seemed  best  to  let  them  stand. 

OPHIOMUSIUM  MULTISPINUM,  new  species.o 

Disk  40  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  240  mm.  long.  Disk  flat, 
thin,  pentagonal  or  rather  decagonal,  owing  to  great  size  of  radial 
shields,  covered  with  numerous,  irregular,  rounded,  small  plates  more 
or  less  embedded  in  the  skin,  and  five  pairs  of  huge  radial  shields;  the 
latter  are  about  14  mm.  long  by  6  mm.  wide,  but  their  inner  ends  are 
more  or  less  buried  in  the  scale-bearing  skin;  they  are  widely  sepa- 
rated throughput  their  length.  Upper  arm  plates  persistent  to  tip 
of  arm;  basal  ones  somewhat  pentagonal,  wider  than  long,  but  from 


FIG.  42.— OPHIOMUSIUM  MULTISPINUM.    Xl.25.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE 

ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

about  fourth  on  they  become  diamond-shaped  and  as  a  rule  are 
longer  than  wide;  they  are  in  contact,  or  nearly  so,  to  about  the 
eleventh  plate.  Interbrachial  spaces  below  covered  by  numerous 
rounded  scales  like  those  of  disk.  Oral  shields  arrowhead-shaped, 
nearly  as  wide  as  long.  Adoral  plates  long,  wider  without  than 
within;  oral  plates  large,  somewhat  swollen  proximally.  Oral  papillae 
numerous,  nine  or  ten  on  a  side,  outermost  much  the  biggest.  Gen- 
ital slits  moderate,  about  equal  to  three  joints;  genital  scales  long  and 
rather  conspicuous.  First  under  arm  plate  pentagonal,  twice  as 
wide  as  long;  next  three  similar,  but  longer;  succeeding  plates  small, 
triangular,  persistent  to  end  of  arm.  Side  arm  plates  moderate, 
little  swollen,  meeting  broadly  above  and  below  except  at  extreme 
base  of  arm;  each  plate  carries  twelve  to  sixteen  very  slender, 
closely  crowded,  pointed  spines,  hardly  one-fourth  as  long  as  side  arm 
plate;  lowest  spine  (or  two)  often  much  stouter  and  more  conspicu- 

a  Multus,  signifying  many,  and  spinus,  signifying  spine,  in  reference  to  the  numerous 
arm  spines. 

34916°— Bull.  75—11 -8 


114  BULLETIN   75,   UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

ous  than  others.  Tentacle  pores  on  four  basal  joints  of  arm,  rather 
large,  protected  by  one,  two,  or  three  scales.  Color  (dried  from  alco- 
hol), light  cream-color  or  ve*ry  light  yellowish-brown,  with  center  of 
disk  sometimes  very  much  darker. 

Locality.— Albatross  station  3074,  off  Washington,  lat.  47°  22'  N.; 
long.  125°  48'  30"  W.,  877  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature 
36.6°,  3  specimens. 

Type.—Csit.  No.  25606,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  3074. 

I  am  not  at  all  sure  that  this  species  will  not  prove  to  be  identical 
with  glabrum  Liitken  and  Mortensen.  I  have  compared  it  with  some 
of  their  specimens  and  find  it  easy  to  distinguish  the  two  species  by 
the  differences  in  the  arm  spines  and  in  the  upper  and  under  arm 
plates.  Thus  glabrum  has  seven  to  eleven  arm  spines,  small  triangular 
upper  arm  plates  and  more  or  less  pentagonal  under  arm  plates,  while 
multispinum  has  twelve  to  sixteen  arm  spines,  larger,  more  elongated, 
diamond-shaped  upper  arm  plates  and  (except  the  basal  ones,  which 
are  much  broader  than  long)  the  under  arm  plates  are  triangular.  On 
the  other  hand,  the  largest  glabrum  was  32  mm.  across  the  disk  while 
the  smallest  multispinum  is  33  mm.,  so  I  do  not  feel  satisfied  as  to 
these  differences  being  of  specific  value. 

Family  AMPHIURIM}. 

OPHIAMBIX  ACULEATUS. 

Ophiambix  aculeatus  LYMAN,  Anniversary  Mem.  Boston  Soc.   Nat.  Hist.,  1880, 
p.  11. 

Locality.— Albatross  station  4928,  in  Colnett  Strait,  lat.  29°  51'  N.; 
long.  131°  2'  30"  E.,  1,008  fathoms,  gray  sand,  globigerina,  bottom 
temperature  36.8°,  1  specimen. 

It  is  a  matter  for  great  regret  that  a  single  specimen,  5  mm.  across 
the  disk,  is  all  the  material  which  the  collection  affords  of  this  inter- 
esting and  important  genus.  I  know  of  no  ophiuran  which  gives  as 
much  promise  of  throwing  light  on  the  relation  of  brittle-stars  to  star- 
fishes as  does  Ophiambix.  Seen  from  above  the  resemblance  to  a  star- 
fish is  most  striking,  while  the  huge  tentacles  and  tentacle  pores  and 
the  simple  mouth  parts  give  to  the  oral  surface  a  very  suggestive 
appearance.  It  is  rather  curious  that  Lyman  makes  no  reference  to 
the  asteroid  resemblances  of  this  genus.  To  judge  from  the  posi- 
tion assigned  it  in  the  Challenger  report,  he  seems  to  have  considered 
it  allied  to  OpJiioscolex.  Meissnera  considers  it  nearer  OpTiiopTiolis. 
My  own  opinion  is  that  its  real  position  is  very  doubtful,  and  that  we 
shall  not  understand  its  relationships  until  more  abundant  material 
shall  make  possible  a  complete  study  of  its  structure.  For  the  pres- 
ent it  may  as  well  stand  at  the  beginning  of  the  family  Amphiuridae 
as  anywhere  else. 

oBronn's  Thierreichs,  vol.  2,  pt.  3,  p.  927. 


NORTH   PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLAEK.       115 

Genus  OPHIOPHOLIS. 

The  vast  amount  of  material  of  this  genus  which  has  accumulated 
in  the  National  Museum  from  the  North  Pacific  makes  it  possible  to 
offer  here  &  revision  of  the  species.  The  task  has  been  a  very  difficult 
one  on  account  of  the  extraordinary  diversity  which  individuals  show 
in  all  those  features  upon  which  specific  distinctions  must  be  based. 
Few  animals  show  as  great  individual  diversity  in  color  as  do  the 
brittle-stars  of  this  genus;  it  is  scarcely  an  exaggeration  to  say  that 
in  all  the  thousands  of  specimens  I  have  examined  I  have  never  seen 
two  that  were  exactly  alike,  and  there  are  few  shades  of  color  which 
can  not  be  matched  in  a  living  group  of  the  best-known  species. 
The  same  diversity  is  seen  in  the  covering  of  the  disk  and  the  sepa- 
ration of  species  solely  by  the  number  and  arrangement  of  the  bare 
plates  is  perfectly  futile.  In  the  length  of  the  arm  spines,  the  develop- 
ment of  disk  spines  and  the;  shape  of  the  arm  plates,  and  particularly 
in  the  number,  form,  and  arrangement  of  the  supplementary  upper 
arm  plates,  the  same  remarkable  diversity  is  found.  The  examina- 
tion of  more  than  five  thousand  specimens  of  the  genus  has  satisfied 
me  that  in  Ophiopholis  aculeata  we  have  the  primary  species  of  the 
group,  a  species  with  circumpolar  distribution  and  extending  far 
down  along  the  coasts  of  Europe,  Asia,  and  America,  in  both  the 
Atlantic  and  Pacific  oceans.  For  some  obscure  reason,  there  has 
been  no  formation  of  new  species  or  varieties  in  the  Atlantic  area — 
at  least,  I  can  not  find  any  important  differences  between  European 
and  American  specimens,  nor  between  those  from  the  northern  and 
southern  parts  of  the  American  range.  In  Bering  Sea  and  the  north- 
ern Pacific,  however,  Ophiopholis  seems  to  have  met  with  very  favor- 
able conditions  and  has  become  diversified  to  such  a  degree  that  we 
can  properly  recognize  at  least  two  very  distinct  species  (mirabilis 
and  ~brachyactis] ,  two  others  (longispina  and  bakeri)  which  are  fairly 
well  differentiated,  and  two  well-marked  varieties  which,  however, 
grade  into  the  parent  form  completely  in  Bering  Sea.  These  two 
varieties  have  already  received  names  from  Lyman,  who,  in  the 
absence  of  extensive  material,  regarded  them  as  valid  species,  distin- 
guished by  the  number  and  arrangement  of  the  disk  scales.  One  of 
them  (kennerlyi,  including  also  caryi  Lyman)  is  the  characteristic 
form  of  the  Pacific  coast  of  the  United  States,  while  the  other  (japo- 
nica)  is  apparently  the  most  common  form  on  the  coast  of  Japan. 
My  first  inclination  was  to  consider  these  two  forms  as  subspecies  of 
aculeata,  each  characteristic  of  a  geographical  area,  but  I  soon  found 
that  this  is  not  the  case,  for  some  of  the  finest  examples  of  japonica 
are  from  Alaska,  typical  aculeata  occurs  on  the  coast  of  Japan,  and 
some  of  the  best  specimens  of  kennerlyi  are  from  the  Aleutian  Islands. 
The  typical  form  was  taken  by  the  Fisheries  steamer  Albatross  at 


116  BULLETIN    75,    UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

twenty-nine  stations,  where  japonica  also  occurred,  and  at  five  of 
these  stations  kennerlyi  was  also  taken;  at  four  other  stations  the 
typical  form  and  Icennerlyi  occurred  together.  In  view  of  these  facts, 
I  retain  the  names  therefore  simply  to  designate  certain  well-marked 
forms,  which  it  is  convenient  to  distinguish  on  account  of  their 
striking  difference  in  appearance.  In  order  to  make  as  clear  as  pos- 
sible the  conclusions  to  which  I  have  been  led  regarding  the  members 
of  this  genus,  I  give  herewith  an  artificial  key  to  the  species  and 
varieties  of  Ophiopholis. 

KEY   TO- SPECIES    AND    VARIETIES    OF   OPHIOPHOLIS. 

A1.  In  addition  to  the  usual  small  supplementary  plates,  adjacent  to  the  upper  arm 
plates,  there  is  a  large,  distinct  plate  on  each  side  of  each  upper  arm  plate. 

mirabilis. 
A.2.  No  one  of  the  supplementary  upper  arm  plates  differentiated  as  an  accessory  to 

the  upper  arm  plate. 

B1.  Supplementary  upper  arm  plates  confined  to  a  transverse  series,  distal  to 
each  arm  plate,  and  not  present  at  their  sides;  under  arm  plates  short, 
very  much  wider  than  long;  arms  short,  only  about  3-5  times  disk  diameter. 

brachyaclis. 

B2.  Supplementary  upper  arm  plates  present,  and  often  particularly  abundant 
at  sides  of  upper  arm  plates;  under  arm  plates  usually  almost  or  quite  as 
long  as  wide;  arms  usually  more  than  five  times  disk  diameter. 
C1.  Supplementary  plates  very  small,  often  mere  pointed  granules,  commonly 
not  in  contact  with  each  other  along  distal  margin  of  upper  arm  plates; 
latter  more  or  less  nearly  circular,  or  longer  than  wide  (sometimes  wider 
than  long),  usually  more  or  less  swollen  distally;  disk  spines  very  slender 
and  acicular,  or  minutely  thorny  and  with  several  points;  general  appear- 
ance remarkably  Ophiothrix-like. 

Radial  shields  large  and  bare;  disk  spines  few  and  long;  arm  spines 

very  long longispina. 

Radial  shields  and  disk,  more  or  less  completely  covered  by  very 
slender,  more  or  less  thorny  spines;  arm  spines  moderately  long.  .baJceri. 
C2.  Supplementary  plates  very  variable,  often  large  and  angular,  often  small 
but  angular,  sometimes  rounded  and  granule-like  but  usually  in  more  or 
less  close  contact  distal  to  upper  arm  plates;  latter  more  or  less  trans- 
verse oval,  sometimes  circular,  but  usually  much  wider  than  long,  little  or 

not  at  all  swollen  distally;  disk  spines  coarse  or  wanting aculeata. 

Supplementary  plates  small,  numerous,  often  rounded  particularly 
at  sides  of  upper  arm  plates;  arm  spines  long  and  pointed=H-2  arm 
joints;  radial  shields  usually  bare  and  conspicuous,  longer  than  wide; 

disk  with  or  without  spines aculeata  var.  japonica. 

Supplementary  plates  more  or  less  numerous  (ten  to  twenty-four  to 
each  upper  arm  plate),  angular  or  rounded;  arm  spines=f-l£  arm  joints, 
blunt;  radial  shields  covered,  or  if  bare,  nearly  circular;  disk  with  or 
(more  commonly  in  Atlantic  specimens)  without  spines. 

aculeata  var.  typica. 

Supplementary  plates  few  (six  to  ten  to  each  upper  arm  plate),  large, 
angular  and  crowded;  arm  spines  short,  rarely  equal  to  a  joint;  disk 
without  spines aculeata  var.  kennerlyi. 


NORTH   PACIFIC   OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM — CLARK.       117 


OPHIOPHOLIS  MIRABILIS. 

Ophiolepis  mirabilis  DUNCAN,  Jour.  Linn.  Sor.  London,  Zool.,  vol.  14, 1879,  p.  460. 
Ophiopholis  mirabilis  LYMAN,  Bull.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  vol.  6,  1879,  p.  43. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  3656,  Hakodate  Bay,  11.5  fathoms, 
green  mud,  sand,  7  specimens;  station  3657,  Hakodate  Bay,  13.5 
fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  12  specimens;  station  3658,  Hakodate  Bay, 
22  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  4  specimens;  station  3659,  Hakodate 
Bay,  15.5  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  14  specimens;  station  3771,  off 
Doumiki  Saki,  Japan,  61  Jathoms,  green  mud,  sand,  3  specimens; 
station  3773,  off  Kinkwasan  Light,  Japan,  78  fathoms,  black  sand, 
4  specimens;  station  4832,  off  Ando  Zaki,  Japan,  lat.  36°  14'  30"  N.; 
long.  135°  56'  30"  E.,  76  to  79  fathoms,  dark  gray  sand,  bottom  tem- 
>perature  53.2°,  1  specimen;  station  5095,  Uraga  Strait,  Japan,  lat. 
35°  5'  34"  N.;  long.  139°  38'  36"  E.,  58 
fathoms,  fine  black  sand,  broken  shells, 
bottom  temperature  57.8°,  2  specimens. 
Bathymetrical  range,  11.5  to  79  fathoms. 
Temperature  range,  down  to  53.2°.  Forty- 
seven  specimens. 

These  specimens  range  in  disk  diameter 
from  4  to  16  mm.  and  make  up  an  excel- 
lent series  of  this  interesting  species,  the 
most  easily  recognized  of  any  in  the  genus. 
Duncan's  types  were  only  7  or  8  mm.  across 
the  disk  (Lyman's  estimate  of  4  mm.  seems 
to  me  too  low),  but  specimens  of  that  size 
show  the  generic  and  specific  characters 
clearly  and  it  is  quite  incomprehensible  to 
me  why  Duncan  should  have  considered 
his  specimens  as  Ophiolepis  or  in  any  way  connecting  links  with  that 
genus.  Apparently  mirabilis  is  confined  to  rather  warm,  shallow 
water  on  the  northern  coasts  of  Japan  and  does  not  extend  south  of 
Sagami  Bay  or  north  of  the  Hokkaido. 

OPHIOPHOLIS  BRACHYACTIS,  new  species.o 

Disk  11  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  55  mm.  long.  Disk  covered 
by  large  radial  shields  and  small  circular  or  oval  plates,  surrounding 
which  are  more  or  less  numerous  rounded  or  angular  granules ;  these 
granules  are  largest  at  the  interradial  margins  and  in  some  specimens 
become  there  thick,  tubercle-like  spines  with  rough  tips.  Radial 
shields  always  conspicuous,  much  longer  than  broad.  Arms  rather 
broad  and  stout  at  base,  with  very  attenuate  tips;  they  measure 
three  to  five  times  the  diameter  of  the  disk,  but  as  the  attenuate  tip  is 


FIG.  43.— OPHIOPHOLIS  MIRABILIS. 
X  3.5.  BASE  OF  ONE  ABM  AND  AD- 
JOINING PORTION  OF  DISK;  FROM 

ABOVE. 


,  signifying  short,  and 
short,  stout  arms. 


,  signifying  ray,  in  reference  to  the  seemingly 


118 


BULLETIN    75.    UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 


easily  broken,  most  of  the  specimens  have  the  appearance  of  being 
unusually  short-armed;  this  appearance  is  added  to  by  the  habit  the 
animal  has  of  coiling  the  arms  vertically,-  a  process  by  which  the 
attenuate  tips  are  protected  but  also  concealed.  Upper  arm  plates 
narrowly  transverse  elliptical  in  outline,  nearly  three  times  as  wide 
as  long  at  base  of  arm  but  becoming  relatively  narrower  and  longer; 
distal  to  each  plate  is  a  series  of  six  to  eight  large  squarish  granules, 
placed  together  and  not  extending  proximally  along  the  sides  of  the 
upper  arm  plates.  Interbrachial  areas  below  covered  by  numerous 
short  thorny  stumps.  Oral  shields  commonly  wider  than  long, 
rounded  laterally  but  with  a  distal  angle.  Adoral  plates  oblong, 
short,  and  wide.  Oral  papilla?  spine-like  but  rather  stout,  in  a  cluster 
of  four  to  six,  just  proximal  to  adoral  plates.  Teeth  numerous,  in 
about  a  dozen  horizontal  series,  the  lowest  of  which  contain  several 
small  teeth  that  might  be  called  tooth  papillae;  the  whole  group 
makes  a  long,  narrow,  vertical  or  oblique  oval,  widest  near  the  bottom. 


FXG.  44.— OPHIOPHOLIS  BRACHYACTIS.    X  4.5.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  &,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO 

ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

Genital  slits  and  scales  large.  First  under  arm  plate  very  small  and 
indistinct;  succeeding  plates  oblong,  nearly  twice  as  wide  as  long, 
separated  from  each  other  by  spaces  nearly  as  wide  as  themselves. 
Side  arm  plates  moderate,  not  nearly  meeting  either  below  or  above, 
the  distal  margin  elevated  into  a  conspicuous  spine-bearing  ridge; 
each  plate  carries  seven  short,  thick,  pointed  spines,  the  middle  ones 
longest  (about  equal  to  joint),  the  uppermost  shortest.  Tentacle 
pores  large  with  a  single  tentacle  scale.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol), 
yellow,  cream  color,  or  dirty  white. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  3698,  off  Manazuru  Zaki,  Japan,  153 
fathoms,  green  mud,  volcanic  ashes,  sand,  7  specimens;  station  4833, 
off  Ando  Zaki,  Japan,  lat.  36°  13'  40"  N.;  long.  135°  56'  30"  E.,  79 
fathoms,  dark-gray  sand,  rocks,  bottom  temperature  53.2°,  2  speci- 
mens; station  4892,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  27'  30"  N. ;  long.  128°  33'  E., 
181  fathoms,  gray  sand,  broken  shells,  rocks,  bottom  temperature 
50.2°,  7  specimens;  station  4900,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  28'  50"  N.; 


NORTH   PACIFIC   OPHIUEAKS    IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM — CLARK.       119 

long.  128°  34'  40"  E.,  139  fathoms,  gray  sand,  broken  shells,  bottom 
temperature  52.9°,  10  specimens;  station  4916,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  30° 
25'  N.;  long.  129°  6'  40"  E.,  361  fathoms,  gray  sand,  globigerina, 
broken  shells,  bottom  temperature  42.7°,  1  specimen;  station  4918 
Eastern  Sea,  lat.  30°  22'  N.;  long.  129°  8'  30"  E.,  361  fathoms,  gray 
sand,  globigerina,  broken  shells,  bottom  temperature  42.7^  t-speci- 
men;  station  4933,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  30°  59'  N. ;  long.  130°  29'  50"  E., 
152  fathoms,  rocky,  bottom  temperature  56°,  8  specimens;  station 4934, 
Eastern  Sea,  lat.  30°  58'  30"  N. ;  long.  130°  32'  E.,  103  to  152  fathoms, 
rocky,  bottom  temperature  60.6°  to  56°,  9  specimens;  station  4965,  off 
eastern  Japan,  lat.  33°  35'  20"  N. ;  long.  135°  10'  50"  E.,  191  fathoms, 
dark  green-gray  sand,  shells,  bottom  temperature  49.4°,  2  specimens; 
station  5069,  Suruga  Gulf,  lat.  35°  3'  10"  N. ;  long.  138°  47'  E.,  108  to 
131  fathoms,  mud,  sand,  broken  shells,  bottom  temperature  55.8°, 
6  specimens;  station  5091,  Uraga  Strait,  lat.  35°  4'  10"  N.;  long. 
139°  38'  12"  E.,  197  fathoms,  green  mud,  coarse  black  sand,  pebbles, 
bottom  temperature  47.6°,  2  specimens;  station  5094,  Uraga  Strait, 
lat.  35°  4'  42"  N.;  long.  139°  38'  20"  E.,  88  fathoms,  black  sand, 
broken  shells,  bottom  temperature  54.8°,  2  specimens.  Bathymet- 
rical  range,  79  to  361  fathoms.  Temperature  range  60.6°  to  42.7°. 
Fifty-seven  specimens. 

Type.— Cut.  No.  25642,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4833. 

Like  mirdbilis,  this  species  is  very  easy  to  recognize,  for  it  shows 
little  tendency  to  variation,  and  in  its  color  and  in  the  arrangement 
of  its  supplementary  upper  arm  plates,  it  is  quite  different  from  the 
other  members  of  the  genus.  Its  range  is  south  of  that  of  the  other 
species,  and  it  may  be  regarded  as  one  of  the  characteristic  ophiurans 
of  southern  Japan. 

OPHIOPHOLIS  LONGISPINA,  new  species.o 

Disk  10  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  80  mm.  long.  Disk  covered 
in  large  part  by  radial  shields;  between  these  and  on  center  of  disk 
are  a  number  of  more  or  less  circular  or  elliptical  plates;  on  many 
of  these  there  is  a  single  long  slender  spine;  these  spines  may  be 
acicular  as  in  fig.  45a,  or  they  may  be  rough  with  minute  thorns  and 
end  in  several  teeth.  Radial  shields  very  large,  much  longer  than 
wide,  separated  from  each  other  or  just  touching  at  distal  end.  Upper 
arm  plates  circular  or  longer  than  wide,  much  swollen  distally,  more 
or  less  surrounded  by  rounded  granules,  which  are  not  in  close  contact 
except  at  sides  of  plates,  where  several  may  touch  each  other;  basal 
upper  arm  plates  smaller  than  those  farther  out.  Interbrachial  areas 
below  covered  by  spine-bearing  plates.  Oral  shield  very  short  and 
wide,  with  adoral  plates  nearly  as  large.  Oral  papillae  long,  flat,  and 
blunt,  three  or  four  in  a  cluster  just  proximal  to  adoral  plate.  Teeth 

a  Longus,  signifying  long,  and  spinus,  signifying  spine,  in  reference  to  the  long  arm 
spines. 


120  BULLETIN   75,   UNITED  STATES  NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 

in  a  very  narrow,  oblique,  oval  area.  Genital  slits  large,  but  genital 
scales  rather  slender  and  inconspicuous.  First  under  arm  plate  very 
small,  but  succeeding  plates  large  and  somewhat  hexagonal,  scarcely 
in  contact,  about  as  long  as  wide.  Side  arm  plates  rather  large,  each 
one  carrying  a  vertical  spine-ridge  upon  which  are  borne  six  to  eight 
rather  slender,  bluntly  pointed  arm  spines;  uppermost  spine  longest, 
about  equal  to  three  arm  joints,  lower  ones  successively  shorter. 
Tentacle  pores  moderately  large,  each  with  a  single  blunt  tentacle 


FIG.  45.— OPHIOPHOLIS  LONGISPINA.    X5.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO  ARM 

JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

scale.     Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  deep  pink,  marked  with  lighter; 
pale  pink  becoming  almost  white;  or  light  yellowish  brown. 

Localities.— Albatross  station  2890,  off  Oregon,  lat.  43°  46'  N.; 
long.  124°  57'  W.,  277  fathoms,  gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  42.2°, 
3  specimens;  station  3070,  off  Washington,  lat.  47°  29'  30"  N.;  long. 
125°  43'  W.,  636  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  37.9°, 
43  specimens;  station  3071,  off  Washington,  lat.  47°  29'  N.;  long. 
125°  33'  30"  W.,  685  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  38°, 
3  specimens;  station  3104,  off  California,  lat.  37°  23'  N.;  long.  123°  8' 


NORTH   PACIFIC   OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL  MUSEUM CLARK.       121 

W.,  391  fathoms,  clay,  bottom  temperature  40.8°,  3  specimens. 
Bathymetrical  range,  277  to  685  fathoms.  Temperature  range, 
42.2°  to  37.9°.  Fifty-two  specimens. 

Type.— Cat.  No.  25653,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  3071. 

This  species  is  undoubtedly  very  near  the  japonica  form  of  aculeata 
but  the  character  of  the  disk  spines  is  quite  distinctive  and  the  huge 
radial  shields,  long  arm  spines,  and  peculiar  upper  arm  plates  com- 
bine to  give  longispina  an  easily  recognizable  appearance.  Some 
specimens,  however,  have  the  upper  arm  plates  very  clearly  wider 
than  long  and  scarcely  at  all  swollen,  while  the  supplementary 
granules  are  angular  and  near  together.  Such  specimens  resemble 
japonica  very  much,  but  the  character  of  the  disk  distinguishes  them. 
The  general  appearance  of  this  species  is  remarkably  OpMothrix-like, 
the  long  arm  spines,  and  finely  spiny  disk  combining  with  the  long, 
slender  arms  to  make  one  think  of  that  genus.  The  geographical, 
bathymetrical,  and  temperature  ranges  of  longispina  are  all  remark- 
ably limited. 

OPHIOPHOLIS  BAKERI. 

Ophiopholis  bakeri  MCCLENDON,  Univ.  of  California  Publ.,  Zool.,  vol.  6,  1909,  no. 
3,  p.  41. 

Disk  10  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  65  mm.  long.  Disk  plates 
completely  concealed  under  a  dense  coat  of  delicate  spines;  these 
spines  show  great  diversity  in  length,  being  longest  near  center  of 
disk  and  in  the  interradial  areas  and  shortest  on  the  radial  shields; 
they  are  more  or  less  thorny  and  generally  end  in  several  teeth. 
Radial  shields  entirely  concealed,  though  their  outline  can  often  be 
distinguished,  emphasized  by  the  shortness  of  the  spines  which  cover 
them.  Upper  arm  plates  roundish,  sometimes  wider  than  long,  often 
swollen  distally;  supplementary  plates  fairly  numerous,  especially  at 
sides  of  upper  arm  plates,  but  not  closely  in  contact.  Interbrachial 
spaces  below  covered  by  a  close  coat  of  spines.  Oral  shields  very 
small,  somewhat  hexagonal,  much  wider  than  long,  with  long,  narrow 
adoral  plates  proximal  to  them.  Oral  papillae  flat  and  blunt,  about 
three  in  a  group  proximal  to  each  adoral  plate.  Teeth  not  peculiar. 
Under  arm  plates,  side  arm  plates,  tentacle  pores,  and  tentacle  scales 
essentially  the  same  as  in  longispina.  Arm  spines  five  to  seven; 
uppermost  longest  but  hardly  equal  to  two  joints.  Color  (dried 
from  alcohol),  some  shade  of  pink,  ranging  from  very  pale  to  quite 
deep,  more  or  less  marked  and  variegated  with  white. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  2861,  off  British  Columbia,  lat. 
51°  14'  N.;  long.  129°  50'  W.;  204  fathoms,  bottom  temperature 
42.6°,  1  specimen;  station  2866,  off  Washington,  lat.  48°  9'  N.;  long. 
125°  3'  W.,  171  fathoms,  gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  43.2°, 

2  specimens;  station  2877,  off  Washington,  lat.  48°  33'  N.;  long. 
124°  53'  W.,  59  fathoms, black  sand,  mud, bottom  temperature  45.5°, 

3  specimens;  station  2886,  off  Oregon,  lat  43°  59'  N.;  long.  124°  56' 


122  BULLETIN   75,   UNITED  STATES  NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 

30' '  W.,  50  fathoms,  rocky,  bottom  temperature  48.1°,  237  speci- 
mens; station  2887,  off  Oregon,  lat.  43°  58'  N.;  long.  124°  57'  W., 
42  fathoms,  clay,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  47.1°,  49  specimens; 
station  2888,  off  Oregon,  lat.  43°  58'  N.;  long.  124°  57'  30"  W., 
41  fathoms,  clay,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  47.6°,  22  specimens; 
station  2889,  off  Oregon,  lat.  43°  59'  N.;  long.  124°  56'  W.,  46  fath- 
oms, clay,  shells,  bottom  temperature  47.7°,  4  specimens;  station 

3050,  off  Oregon,  lat.  44°  1'  15"  N.;  long.  124°  57'  W.,  46  fathoms, 
coral,  broken  shells,  bottom  temperature  46.1°,  2  specimens;  station 

3051,  off  Oregon,  lat.  43°  59'  15"  N.;  long.  124°  58'  30"  W.,59  fath- 
oms,  coral,   broken  shells,   rocky,    16   specimens;  station   3052,   off 


C 

FIG.  46.— OPHIOPHOLIS  BAKERI.    X5.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  FROM  BELOW,  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO  ARM  JOINTS 


NEAR  DISK. 


Oregon,  lat.  44°  N.;  long.  124°  57'  W.,  48  fathoms,  coral,  broken 
shells,  rocky,  bottom  temperature  49°,  2  specimens;  station  3053,  off 
Oregon,  lat.  44°  4'  30"  N.;  long.  124°  50'  W.,  64  fathoms,  coral, 
broken  shells,  rocky,  bottom  temperature  47.3°,  22  specimens;  sta- 
tion 3054,  off  Oregon,  lat.  44°  13'  N.;  long.  124°  44'  30"  W.,  53  fath- 
oms, rocks,  bottom  temperature  48°,  5  specimens;  station  3079,  off 
Oregon,  lat.  43°  59'  15"  N.;  long.  124°  44'  40"  W.,  55  fathoms, rocky, 
bottom  temperature  46.7°,  2  specimens;  station  3160,  off  California, 
lat.  37°  48'  35"  N.;  long.  123°  12'  40"  W.,  39  fathoms,  rocky, bottom 
temperature  51.8°,  2  specimens;  station  3184,  off  California,  lat. 
36°  26'  40"  N. ;  long.  122°  00'  5"  W.,  77  fathoms,  sand,  gravel,  bottom 


NORTH   PACIFIC   OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM — CLARK.       123 

temperature  46.4°,  8  specimens;  station  3672,  off  California,  lat. 
37°  30'  N.;  long.  123°  2'  W.;  68  fathoms,  sand,  coral,  rocks,  bottom 
temperature  49°,  6  specimens.  Bathymetrical  range,  39  to  204  fath- 
oms. Temperature  range, 5 1.8°  to  42.6°.  Two  hundred  and  eighty- 
three  specimens. 

After  this  report  had  been  completed,  McClendon's  paperr>rrthe 
ophiurans  of  the  San  Diego  Region  appeared,  and  it  became 
evident  that  this  Ophiopholis,  which  I  had  described  and  figured  as 
new,  was  identical  with  the  species  to  which  he  had  given  the  name 
bakeri.  But  I  determined  to  let  my  description  and  figures  stand 
for  comparison  with  those  of  longispina  to  which  bakeri  is  very  nearly 
allied.  Typical  specimens  of  the  two  forms  are  so  different  that 
anyone  would  regard  them  as  perfectly  distinct  species,  but  some 
specimens  of  longispina  have  numerous  disk  spines  which  crowd 
around  the  radial  shields,  though  not  actually  encroaching  on  them, 
while  in  some  specimens  of  bakeri  the  spines  on  the  radial  shields  are 
much  smaller  and  farther  apart  than  elsewhere.  I  have  not  seen  a 
specimen  which  could  not  be  placed  in  one  species  or  the  other  with 
little  hesitation,  and  for  that  reason  it  seems  best  to  use  two  names, 
but  it  must  be  admitted  that  the  line  of  separation  between  the  two 
forms  is  very  narrow.  It  is  interesting  to  note  that  although  bakeri 
ranges  much  farther  south,  the  geographical  areas  of  the  two  overlap, 
while  the  bathymetrical  and  temperature  ranges  are  quite  distinct. 

OPHIOPHOLIS  ACULEATA  var.  JAPONICA. 

Ophiopholis  japonica  LYMAN,  Bull.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  vol.  6,  1879,  p.  42. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  2842,  off. Alaska,  lat.  54°  15'  N.;  long. 
166°  3'  W.,  72  fathoms,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  41°,  18  speci- 
mens; station  2843,  off  Alaska,  lat.  53°  56'  N. ;  long.  165°  56'  W.,  45 
fathoms,  broken  shells,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  43.5°,  2  speci- 
mens; station  2846,  off  Alaska,  lat*  54°  8'  N.;  long.  162°  44'  W.,  44 
fathoms,  gravel,  bottom  temperature  42°,  115  specimens;  station  2847, 
off  Alaska,  lat.  55°  I7  N. ;  long.  160°  12'  W.,  48  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand, 
bottom  temperature  42°,  1  specimen;  station  2849,  off  Alaska,  lat. 
55°  16'  N. ;  long.  160°  28'  W.,  69  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  tempera- 
ture 43°,  24  specimens;  station  2853,  off  Alaska,  lat.  56°  N. ;  long.  154° 
20'  W.,  159  fathoms,  gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  41°,  11  speci- 
mens; station  2854,  off  Alaska,  lat.  56°  55'  N.;  long.  153°  4'  W.,  60 
fathoms,  black  sand,  bottom  temperature  42.8°,  2  specimens;  station 

2856,  off  Alaska,  lat.  58°  7'  N. ;  long.  151°  36'  W.,  68  fathoms,  gray 
sand,  black  specks,  bottom  temperature  44°,  20  specimens;  station 

2857,  off  Alaska,  lat.  58°  5'  N. ;  long.  150°  46'  W.,  51  fathoms,  broken 
shells,  gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  44.6°,  10  specimens;  station 

2858,  off  Alaska,  lat.  58°  17'  N. ;  long.  148°  36'  W.,  230  fathoms,  blue 
mud,  gravel,  bottom  temperature  39.8°,  67  specimens;  station  3212. 


124  BULLETIN   75,   UNITED  STATES  NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 

off  Alaska,  lat.  54°  5'  30"  N. ;  long.  162°  54'  W.,  49  fathoms,  gray 
sand,  black  specks,  bottom  temperature  38°,  219  specimens;  station 
3213,  off  Alaska,  lat.  54°  10'  N.;  long.  162°  57'  30"  W.,  41  fathoms, 
black  sand,  44  specimens;  station  3214,  off  Alaska,  lat.  54°  13'  N.; 
long.  163°  6'  W.,  38  fathoms,  gray  sand,  gravel,  136  specimens;  sta- 
tion 3215,  off  Alaska,  lat.  54°  14'  40"  N.;  long.  163°  24'  W.,43  fath- 
oms, gravel,  bottom  temperature  38.5°,  50  specimens;  station  3226, 
Bering  Sea,  lat.  55°  1'  N.;  long.  167°  25'  W.,  128  fathoms,  mud,  sand, 
shells,  bottom  temperature  38.5°,  19  specimens;  station  3228,  Bering 
Sea,  lat.  58°  39'  20"  N. ;  long.  157°  17'  30"  W.,  8  fathoms,  gray  sand, 
pebbles,  1  specimen;  station  3285,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  56°  45'45"N.; 
long.  160°  42'  45"  W.,  35  fathoms,  gray  sand,  black  specks,  bottom 
temperature  41°,  3  specimens;  station  3311,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  53°  39' 
36"N. ;  long.  166°  29'  43"  W.,  85  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  tempera- 
ture 41°,  108  specimens;  station  3312,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  53°  59'  11"N.; 
long.  166°  25'  9"  W.,  45  fathoms,  fine  sand,  mud,  bottom  temperature 
43°,  7  specimens;  station  3315,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  2'  40"  N.;  long. 
166°  42'  W.,  277  fathoms,  green  mud,  sand,  bottom  temperature 
38.5°,  10  specimens;  station  3316,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  1'  N. ;  long. 
166°  48'  45"  W.,  309  fathoms,  black  sand,  gravel,  bottom  tempera- 
ture 38.2°,  9  specimens;  station  3317,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  53°  57'  40"  N.; 
long.  166°  59'  W.,  165  fathoms,  coarse  sand,  gravel,  rocks,  bottom 
temperature  39.5°,  10  specimens;  station  3321,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  53° 
33'  30"  N.;  long.  167°  15'  40"  W.,  54  fathoms,  dark  mud,  bottom 
temperature  41.5°,  13  specimens;  station  3322,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  53° 
28'  45"  N.;  long.  167°  23'  50"  W.,  35  fathoms,  black  sand,  bottom 
temperature  42.4°,  5  specimens;  station  3331,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  1' 
40"  N.;  long.  166°  48'  50"  W.,  350  fathoms,  mud,  2  specimens;  sta- 
tion 3332,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  2'  50"  N.;  long.  166°  45'  W.,  406 
fathoms,  rocky,  sand,  13  specimens;  station  3337,  Bering  Sea,  lat. 
53°  55'  30"  N.;  long.  163°  26'  W.",  280  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom 
temperature  39.3°,  39  specimens;  station  3480,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  52°  6' 
N.;long.  171°  45'  W.,  283  fathoms,  black  sand,  coral,  rocky,  6  speci- 
mens; station  3486,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  57°  19'  N.;  long.  173°  58'  W., 
150  fathoms,  green  mud,  fine  sand,  bottom  temperature  38°,  13 
specimens;  station  3487,  Bering  Sea,  lat  57°  10'  N.;  long.  173°  45'  W., 
81  fathoms,  green  mud,  fine  sand,  bottom  temperature  37. 6°,  4  speci- 
mens; station  3495,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  56°  37'  N.;  long.  170°  1'  W.,  56 
fathoms,  green  mud,  fine  sand,  bottom  temperature  38.5°,  3  speci- 
mens; station  3500,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  56°  2'  N.;  long.  169°  30'  W.,  121 
fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  gravel,  bottom  temperature  38.6°,  3  speci- 
mens; station  3545,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  56°  15'  N.;  long.  171°  33'  W., 
1,030  fathoms,  green  mud,  fine  sand,  clay,  bottom  temperature  36°, 
1  specimen;  station  3602,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  56°  32'  N. ;  long.  172°  40'  W., 
81  fathoms,  green  mud,  sand,  bottom  temperature  37.1°,  45  speci- 


NORTH   PACIFIC   OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK.       125 

mens;  station  3661,  Gulf  of  Tokyo,  169  fathoms,  mud,  pebbles,  bot- 
tom temperature  48°,  3  specimens;  station  3699,  off  Port  Arari,  Japan, 
400  to  7.26  fathoms,  gray  mud,  volcanic  particles,  1  specimen;  station 
3785,  Bering  Sea,  North  of  Aleutian  Islands,  270  fathoms,  gray  sand, 
broken  shells,  21  specimens;  station  4769,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  40'  30" 
N.;  long.  179°  14'  E.,  237  to  244  fathoms,  gray  sand,  greerr  mud, 
bottom  temperature  38.5°,  2  specimens;  station  4770,  Bering  Sea, 
lat.  54°  31'  N.;  long.  179°  15'  E.,  247  fathoms,  43  specimens;  station 
4771,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  30'  N. ;  long.  179°  17'  E.,  426  fathoms, 
broken  shells,  183  specimens;  station  4772,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  30'  30" 
N. ;  long.  179°  14'  E.,  344  to  372  fathoms,  green-brown  sand,  bottom 
temperature  38.1°,  173  specimens;  station  4777,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  52° 
11'  N.;  long.  179°  49'  E.,  43  to  52  fathoms,  fine  gravel,  2  specimens; 
station  4779,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  52°  11'  N.;  long.  179°  57'  W.,  54  to  56 
fathoms,  broken  shells,  pebbles,  sand,  1  specimen;  station  4781,  off 
Aleutian  Islands,  lat.  52°  14'  30"  N.;  long.  174°  13'  E.,  482  fathoms, 
fine  gray  sand,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  38.6°,  165  specimens; 
station  4782,  off  Aleutian  Islands,  lat.  52°  55'  N.;  long.  173°  27'  E., 
57  to  59  fathoms,  rocks,  gravel,  7  specimens;  station  4784,  off  Attu 
Island,  lat.  52°  55'  40"  N.;  long.  173°  26'  E.,  135  fathoms,  coarse 
pebbles,  145  specimens;  station  4788,  off  Copper  Island,  lat.  54°  50' 
24"  N.;  long.  167°  13'  E.,  56  to  57  fathoms,  green  sand,  4  specimens; 
station  4789,  off  Copper  Island,  lat.  54°  49'  45"  N. ;  long.  167°  12'  30" 
E.,  56  fathoms,  green  sand,  1  specimen;  station  4790,  off  Bering  Island, 
lat.  54°  38'  45"  N.;  long.  167°  11'  45"  E.,  64  fathoms,  pebbles,  10 
specimens;  station  4791,  off  Bering  Island,  lat.  54°  36'  15"  N. ;  long. 
166°  58'  15"  E.,  72  to  76  fathoms,  rocky,  10  specimens;  station  4792, 
off  Bering  Island,  lat.  54°  36'  15"  N. ;  long.  166°  57'  15"  E.,  72  fathoms, 
pebbled,  24  specimens;  station  4797,  off  Kamchatka,  lat.  52°  37'  30" 
N. ;  long.  158°  50'  E.,  682  fathoms,  green  mud,  coarse  black  sand, 
broken  shells,  bottom  temperature  36.6°,  2  specimens;  station  4803, 
off  Simushir  Island,  lat.  46°  42'  N.;  long.  151°  45'  E.,  229  fathoms, 
coarse  pebbles,  black  sand,  bottom  temperature  35.9°,  44  specimens; 
station  4804,  off  Simushir  Island,  lat.  46°  42'  N. ;  long.  151°  47'  E., 
229  fathoms,  coarse  pebbles,  black  sand,  bottom  temperature  35.9°, 
74  specimens;  station  4809,  sea  of  Japan,  lat.  41°  18'  N. ;  long.  140° 
8'  40"  E.,  90  to  207  fathoms,  gray  sand,  pebbles,  broken  shells,  bot- 
tom temperature  48.8°,  61  specimens;  station  4810,  Sea  of  Japan, 
lat.  41°  17'  20"  N.;  long.  140°  7'  E.,  195  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand, 
bottom  temperature  44.7°,  18  specimens;  station  4812,  Sea  of  Japan, 
lat.  38°  33'  N.;  long.  138°  40'  E.,  176  to  200  fathoms,  fine  brown 
mud  (?),  bottom  temperature  34.9°,  6  specimens;  station  4822,  Sea 
of  Japan,  lat.  37°  8'  10"  N.;  long.  137°  8'  E.,  130  fathoms,  green 
mud,  bottom  temperature  39.4°,  40  specimens;  station  4826,  Sea  of 
Japan,  lat.  37°  25'  N.;  long.  137°  32'  E.,  114  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand, 


126  BULLETIN   75,    UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

black  specks,  bottom  temperature  42.5°;  6  specimens;  station  4861, 
off  Korea,  lat.  36°  19'  K;  long.  129°  47'  E.,  163  fathoms,  green  mud, 
bottom  temperature  33.4°;  1  specimen;  station  4967,  off  eastern  Japan, 
lat.  33°  25'  10"  N.;  long.  135°  37'  20"  E.,  244  to  253  fathoms,  brown 
mud,  sand,  foraminifera,  bottom  temperature  45.9°,  1  specimen; 
station  4971,  off  eastern  Japan,  lat.  33°  23'  30"  N.;  long.  135°  34'  E., 
649  fathoms,  brown-green  mud,  foraminifera,  bottom  temperature 
38.1°,  1  specimen;  station  4972,  off  eastern  Japan,  lat.  33°  25'  45"  N. ; 
long.  135°  33'  E.,  440  fathoms,  brown-green  mud,  foraminifera,  bot- 
tom temperature  39. 8 °,  1  specimen;  station  4980,  off  eastern  Japan, 
lat.  34°  9'  N.;  long.  137°  55'  E.,  507  fathoms,  brown  mud,  fine  sand, 
foraminifera,  bottom  temperature  39°,  2  specimens;  station  4982, 
Sea  of  Japan,  lat.  43°  N.;  long.  140°  10'  30"  E.,  390  to  428  fathoms, 
green  mud,  bottom  temperature  32.7°,  6  specimens;  station  4985, 
Sea  of  Japan,  lat.  43°  5'  20"  N.;  long.  140°  15'  15"  E.,  224  fathoms, 
green  mud  (?),  bottom  temperature  33.1°,  1  specimen;  station  4987, 
Sea  of  Japan,  lat.  43°  19'  20"  N. ;  long.  140°  17'  E.,  59  fathoms,  rocky, 
bottom  temperature  44.8°,  51  specimens;  station  4991,  Sea  of  Japan, 
lat.  45°  23'  20"  N. ;  long.  140°  48'  E.,  325  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom 
temperature  33°,  2  specimens;  station  4995,  Sea  of  Japan,  lat.  45°  33' 
40"  N.;  long.  140°  54'  E.,  86  fathoms,  black  sand,  pebbles,  bottom 
temperature  43.4°,  62  specimens;  station  4996,  Sea  of  Japan,  lat.  45° 
35'  N.;  long.  140°  55'  E.,  86  fathoms,  black  sand,  pebbles,  bottom 
temperature  43.4°,  13  specimens;  station  4997,  Gulf  of  Tartary,  lat, 
47°  38'  40"  N.jlong.  141°  24'  30"  E.,  318  fathoms,  green  mud, 
bottom  temperature  32.8°,  2  specimens;  station  5010,  off  Saghalin, 
lat.  46°  30'  30"  N.;  long.  142°  43'  30"  E.,  21  to  32  fathoms,  green 
mud,  sand,  bottom  temperature  ?,  11  specimens;  station  5017,  Ok- 
hotsk Sea,  lat.  46°  43'  30"  N.;  long.  143°  45'  E.,  64  fathoms,  brown 
mud,  fine  black  sand,  rocks,  coral,  bottom  temperature  ?,  7  speci- 
mens; station  5018,  Okhotsk  Sea,  lat.  46°  41'  30"  N.;  long.  143°  57' 
40"  E.,  100  fathoms,  brown  mud,  black  sand,  pebbles,  bottom  tem- 
perature 30.4°,  2  specimens;  station  5031,  Yezo  Strait,  lat.  44°  4'  N.; 
long.  145°  32'  E.,  86  fathoms,  dark  sand,  gravel,  bottom  temperature 
43.7°,  5  specimens;  station  5037,  off  southern  Hokkaido,  lat.  42°  2'  40" 
N.;  long.  142°  33'  20"  E.,  175  to  349  fathoms,  bottom  temperature 
37.9°,  4  specimens;  station  5038,  off  southern  Hokkaido,  lat.  42°  2'  40" 
N.;  long.  142°  36'  E.,  175  fathoms,  fine  black  sand,  brown  mud, 
broken  shells,  bottom  temperature  37.1°,  1  specimen;  station  5049, 
off  Kinkwasan,  Japan,  lat.  38°  12'  N.;  long.  142°  2'  E.,  82  fathoms, 
dark  gray  sand,  broken  shells,  foraminifera,  bottom  temperature 
37.8°,  2  specimens;  station  5079,  off  Omai  Saki,  Japan,  lat.  34°  15'  N. ; 
long.  138°  E.,  475  to  505  fathoms,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  39.1°, 
7  specimens;  station  5080,  off  Omai  Saki,  Japan,  lat,  34°  10'  30"  N. ; 
long.  138°  40'  E.,  505  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  globigerina,  bottom 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK.       127 

temperature  38. 7°,  8  specimens,  station  5088,  Sagami  Bay,  lat.  35° 
11'  25"  N.;  long.  139°  28'  20"  E.,  369  to  405  fathoms,  green  mud, 
bottom  temperature  41.8°,  1  specimen;  station  5093,  Uraga  Strait, 
lat.  35°  3'  15"  K;  long.  139°  37'  42"  E.,  302  fathoms,  coarse  black 
sand,  bottom  temperature  43.9°,  1  specimen;  station  5095,  Uraga 
Strait,  lat.  35°  5'  34"  N.;  long.  139°  38'  36"  E.,  58  fathoms,  fine  black 
sand,  broken  shells,  bottom  temperature  57.8°,  4  specimens;  Kadiak, 
1  specimen;  Prince  of  Wales  Island,  1  specimen;  Dolgoi  Sound,  1 


FIG.  47.— OPHIOPHOLIS  ACULEATA  VAR.  JAPONICA.    a,  E  TREMK  FORM  WITH  SMALL  SUPPLEMENTARY 

UPPER  ARM  PLATES  AND  NUMEROUS  LONG  DISK  SPINES,  X  2.66  J  6,  MORE  USUAL  FORM  WITH  FEWER  DISK 

BPINES,  X  3.33  ;  c,  UNUSUAL  FORM  WITH  MANY  DISK  SCALES  RESORBED,  x  3.5 ;  d,  TYPICAL  FORM  WITHOUT 
DISK  SPINES,  x  4. 

specimen;  locality  ?,  4  specimens.  Bathymetrical  range,  8  to  1,030 
fathoms.  Temperature  range,  57.8  to  30.4°.  Two  thousand  two 
hundred  and  eighty-two  specimens. 

A  number  of  these  specimens  agree  so  well  with  Lyman's  figures 
and  description  of  japonica  that  I  felt  no  doubt  as  to  their  identifica- 
tion, even  before  comparison  with  a  cotype  of  that  species.  But  I 
soon  found  that  these  specimens  intergrade  so  completely  with 


128  BULLETIN   75,    UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

typical  aculeata  that  it  is  impossible  for  me  to  separate  them  satis- 
factorily. The  four  figures  (47a-d)  will  give  a  little  idea  of  the  diver- 
sity which  this  species  shows  in  the  disk  covering  and  in  the  plates 
of  the  upper  side  of  the  arm.  While  typical  japonica  approaches 
kennerlyi,  we  find  specimens  at  the  other  extreme  which  approach 
very  near  to  longispina  and  bakeri.  Although  japonica  is  very  com- 
mon in  Bering  Sea  and  near  the  Aleutian  Islands,  it  extends  down  on 
the  Japanese  coast  nearly  to  lat.  33°,  while  on  the  American  coast 
it  is  not  found  below  lat.  54°,  being  replaced  by  var.  kennerlyi.  The 
largest  specimen  in  the  collection  is  22  mm.  across  the  disk.  The 
bathymetrical  and  temperature  ranges  of  this  variety  are  notable. 

OPHIOPHOLIS  ACULEATA. 

Asterias  aculeata  LINN^JUS,  Syst.  Nat.,  12th  ed.,  1767,  p.  1101. 
Ophiopholis  aculeata  GRAY,  List  Brit.  Mus.,  Rad.  Anim.,  1848,  p.  25. 

Localities.— Albatross  station  2842,  off  Alaska,  lat.  54°  15'  N. ;  long. 
166°  3'  W.,  72  fathoms,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  41°,  9  speci- 
mens; station  2845,  off  Alaska,  lat.  54°  5'  N.;  long.  164°  9'  W.,  42 
fathoms,  coarse  black  sand,  bottom  temperature  42°,  37  specimens; 
station  2846,  off  Alaska,  lat.  54°  8'  N.;  long.  162°  44'  W.,  44  fathoms, 
gravel,  bottom  temperature  42°,  12  specimens;  station  2849,  off 
Alaska,  lat.  55°  16'  N.;  long.  160°  28'  W.,  69  fathoms,  green  mud, 
bottom  temperature  43°,  24  specimens;  station  2850,  off  Alaska, 
lat.  54°  52'  N.;  long.  159°  46'  W.,  21  fathoms,  broken  shells,  bottom 
temperature  48.2°,  1  specimen;  station  2854,  off  Alaska,  lat.  56°  55' 
N.;  long.  153°  4'  W.,  60  fathoms,  black  sand,  bottom  temperature 
42.8°,  2  specimens;  station  2856,  off  Alaska,  lat.  58°  T  N.;  long.  151° 
36'  W.,  68  fathoms,  gray  sand,  black  specks,  bottom  temperature  44°,. 
15  specimens;  station  2857,  off  Alaska,  lat.  58°  5'  N.;  long.  150°  46' 
W.,  51  fathoms,  broken  shells,  gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  44.6°, 
10  specimens;  station  2874,  off  Washington,  lat.  48°  30'  N.;  long. 
124°  57'  W.,  27  fathoms,  rocks,  shells,  bottom  temperature  50.3°, 
4  specimens;  station  2875,  off  Washington,  lat.  48°  30'  N.;  long.  124° 
57'  W.,  40  fathoms,  rocks,  shells,  bottom  temperature  47.8°,  1  speci- 
men; station  2887,  off  Oregon,  lat.  43°  58'  N.;  long.  124°  57'  W.,  42 
fathoms,  clay,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  47.1°,  1  specimen;  station 
3095,  off  Oregon,  lat.  42°  44'  45"  N.;  long.  124°  38'  10"  W.,  42 
fathoms,  rocks,  stones,  broken  shells,  bottom  temperature  47°,  3 
specimens;  station  3158,  off  California,  lat.  37°  47'  30"  N.;  long.  123° 
10'  40"  W.,  29  fathoms,  rocky,  bottom  temperature  51.4°,  1  speci- 
men; station  3159,  off  California,  lat.  37°  47'  20"  N.;  long.  123°  10' 
W.,  27  fathoms,  rocky,  1  specimen;  station  3168,  off  California,  lat. 
38°  1'  25"  N. ;  long.  123°  26'  55"  W.,  34  fathoms,  rocky,  coral,  1  speci- 
men; station  3212,  off  Alaska,  lat.  54°  5'  30"  N.;long.  162°  54' W., 
49  fathoms,  gray  sand,  black  specks,  bottom  temperature  38°,  99 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLAKK.       129 

specimens;  station  3213,  off  Alaska,  lat.  54°  10'  N. ;  long.  162°  57'  30" 
W.,  41  fathoms,  black  sand,  43  specimens;  station  3214,  off  Alaska, 
lat.  54°  13'  N.;  long.  163°  6'  W.,  38  fathoms,  gray  sand,  gravel,  14 
specimens;  station  3215,  off  Alaska,  lat.  54°  14'  40"  N.;  long.  163° 
24'  W.,  43  fathoms,  gravel,  bottom  temperature  38.5°,  7  specimens; 
station  3262,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  49'  30"  N.;  long.  165°  2'  W^,  43 
fathoms,  black  sand,  rocks,  bottom  temperature  43°,  4  specimens; 
station  3263,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  55°  4'  N.;  long.  165°  4'  W.,  61  fathoms, 
black  mud,  bottom  temperature  39.5°,  1  specimen;  station  3274, 
Bering  Sea,  lat.  55°  34'  30"  N.;  long.  162°  31'  45"  W.,  19  fathoms, 
black  sand,  shells,  36  specimens;  station  3282,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  56° 
30'  45"  N.;  long.  161°  50'  15"  W.,  53  fathoms,  fine  sand,  green  mud, 
bottom  temperature  38.2°,  8  specimens;  station  3283,  Bering  Sea, 
lat.  56°  28'  N.;  long.  161°  16'  30"  W.,  39  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand, 
bottom  temperature  40.3°,  1  specimen;  station  3285,  Bering  Sea, 
lat.  56°  45'  45"  N.;  long.  160°  42'  45"  W.,  35  fathoms,  gray  sand, 
black  specks,  bottom  temperature  41°,  3  specimens;  station  3289, 
Bering  Sea,  lat.  56°  44'  30"  N. ;  long.  159°  16'  W.,  16  fathoms,  black 
sand,  1  specimen;  station  3317,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  53°  57'  40"  N.;  long. 
166°  59'  W.,  165  fathoms,  coarse  sand,  gravel,  rocks,  bottom  tem- 
perature 39.5°,  10  specimens;  station  3319,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  53°  40' 
30"  N.;  long.  167°  30'  W.,  59  fathoms,  black  sand,  bottom  tempera- 
ture 40.8°,  3  specimens;  station  3321,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  53°  33'  30"  N.; 
long.  167°  15'  40"  W.,  54  fathoms,  dark  mud,  bottom  temperature 
41.5°,  20  specimens;  station  3322,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  53°  28'  45"  N.; 
long.  167°  23'  50"  W.,  35  fathoms,  black  sand,  bottom  temperature 
42.4°,  1  specimen;  station  3337,  off  Alaska,  lat.  53°  55'  30"  N.; 
long.  163°  26'  W.,  280  fathoms,  green  mud,  sand,  bottom  tempera- 
ture 39.3°,  6  specimens;  station  3443,  off  Washington,  lat.  48°  13'  30" 
N.;  long.  123°  11'  20"  W.,  97  fathoms,  green  mud,  pebbles,  bottom 
temperature  46°,  2  specimens;  station  3480,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  52°  6'  N. ; 
long.  171°  45'  W.,  283  fathoms,  black  sand,  coral,  rocky,  6  specimens; 
station  3482,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  57°  18'  N.;  long.  170°  42'  W.,  42  fath- 
oms, green  mud,  fine  sand,  bottom  temperature  38.9°,  1  specimen; 
station  3485,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  57°  18' N.;  long.  172°  34' W., 62  fathoms, 
green  mud,  bottom  temperature  37.1°,  1  specimen;  station  3487, 
Bering  Sea,  lat.  57°  10'  N.;  long.  173°  45'  W.,  81  fathoms,  green  mud, 
fine  sand,  bottom  temperature  37.6°,  4  specimens;  station  3496, 
Bering  Sea,  lat.  56°  32'  N.;  long.  169°  45' W.,  41  fathoms,  gray  sand, 
stones,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  39.9°,  13  specimens;  station 
3497,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  56°  18'  N.;  long.  169°  38'  W.,  86  fathoms, 
gray  sand,  black  specks,  bottom  temperature  38.7°,  1  specimen; 
station  3498,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  56°  13'  N. ;  long.  169°  36'  W.,  142  fath- 
oms, fine  gray  sand,  gravel,  bottom  temperature  38.6°,  3  specimens; 
34916°— Bull.  75—11 9 


130  BULLETIN    75,    UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

station  3500,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  52°  2'  N. ;  long.  169°  30'  W.,  121  fathoms, 
fine  gray  sand,  gravel,  bottom  temperature  38.6°,  11  specimens; 
station  3546,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  12'  N. ;  long.  165°  42'  W.,  36  fathoms, 
gravel,  black  sand,  bottom  temperature  45.6°,  4  specimens;  station 
3552,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  56°  28'  N.;long.  169°  28'  W.,54  fathoms,  black 
sand,  rocky,  bottom  temperature  39.8°,  19  specimens;  station  3558, 
Bering  Sea,  lat.  56°  58'  N.;  long.  170°  9'  W.,  25  fathoms,  sand,  dark 
specks,  rocky,  bottom  temperature  42.5°,  33  specimens;  station  3560, 
Bering  Sea,  lat.  56°  40'  N.;  long.  169°  20'  W.,  43  fathoms,  fine  gray 
sand,  black  specks,  bottom  temperature  40.7°,  3  specimens;  station 
3599,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  52°  5'  N.;  long.  177°  40'  W.,  55  fathoms,  rocky, 
fine  sand,  shells,  60  specimens;  station  3609,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  55°  35' 
N.;  long.  168°  20'  W.,  74  fathoms,  green  mud,  sand,  bottom  tempera- 
ture 37.9°,  1  specimen;  station  4772,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  30'  30"  N.; 
long.  179°  14'  E.,  344  to  372  fathoms,  green-brown  sand,  bottom  tem- 
perature 38.1°,  5  specimens;  station  4777,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  52°  11'  N.; 
long.  179°  49'  E.,  43  to  52  fathoms,  fine  gravel,  240  specimens;  station 
4778,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  52°  12'  N.;  long.  179°  52'  E.,  33  to  43  fathoms, 
fine  black  gravel,  pebbles,  broken  shells,  85  specimens;  station  4779, 
Bering  Sea,  lat.  52°  11'  N.;  long.  179°  57'  W.,  54  to  56  fathoms, 
broken  shells,  pebbles,  sand,  102  specimens;  station  4782,  off  Aleu- 
tians, lat.  52°  55'  N.;  long.  173°  27'  E.,  57  to  59  fathoms,  rocks, 
gravel,  156  specimens;  station  4788,  off  Copper  Island,  lat.  54°  50'  24" 
N. ;  long.  167°  13'  E.,  56  to  57  fathoms,  green  sand,  1  specimen;  station 
4792,  off  Bering  Island,  lat.  54°  36'  15"  N.;  long.  166°  57'  15"  E., 
72  fathoms,  pebbles,  3  specimens;  station  4860,  Sea  of  Japan,  lat. 
36°  18'  N.;  long.  129°  44'  E.,  122  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  tem- 
perature 34.1°,  1  specimen;  station  4987,  Sea  of  Japan,  lat.  43°  19' 
20"  N.;  long.  140°  17'  E.,  59  fathoms,  rocky,  bottom  temperature 
44.8°,  4  specimens;  station  4994,  Sea  of  Japan,  lat.  45°  27'  50"  N.; 
long.  140°  54'  E.,  190  fathoms,  brown  mud,  fine  black  sand,  bottom 
temperature  34°,  24  specimens;  station  4996,  Sea  of  Japan,  lat.  45° 
35'  N. ;  long  140°  55'  E.,  86  fathoms,  black  sand,  pebbles,  bottom  tem- 
perature 43.4°,  4  specimens;  station  4997,  Gulf  of  Tartary,  lat.  47° 
38'  40"  N.;  long.  141°  24'  30"  E.,  318  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom 
temperature  32.8°,  1  specimen;  station  5016,  Okhotsk  Sea,  lat.  46° 
44'  30"  N.;  long.  143°  45'  E.,  64  fathoms,  brown  mud,  fine  black 
sand,  rocks,  coral,  bottom  temperature  29.8°,  1  specimen;  station 
5017,  Okhotsk  Sea,  lat.  46°  43'  30"  N.;  long.  143°  45'  E.,  64  fathoms, 
brown  mud,  fine  black  sand,  rocks,  coral,  bottom  temperature  29.8°, 
2  specimens;  station  5020,  Okhotsk  Sea,  lat.  48°  32'  45"  N.;  long. 
145°  7'  30"  E.,  73  fathoms,  green  mud,  sand,  pebbles,  bottom  tem- 
perature 30.9°,  3  specimens;  station  5021,  Okhotsk  Sea,  lat.  48°  32' 
30"  N.;  long.  145°  8'  45"  E.,  73  fathoms,  green  mud,  sand,  pebbles, 
bottom  temperature  30.9°,  3  specimens;  Captains  Harbor,  Unalaska, 


NORTH   PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK.       131 

40  specimens;  Unalaska,  4  specimens;  Kyska,  9  to  12  fathoms,  62 
specimens;  Port  Levasheff,  Unalaska,  20  to  30  fathoms,  1  specimen; 
Port  Etches,  Alaska,  5  specimens;  Constantine  Harbor,  15  specimens; 
Unga,  3  specimens;  Agattu,  46  specimens;  Iliuliuk,  64  specimens; 
Port  Al thorp,  Alaska,  1  specimen;  Chineak  Bay,  Kadiak,  1  specimen; 
Medui  Island,  2  specimens;  Aleutian  Islands,  2  specimens;  Bering 
Island,  19  specimens;  Shumagin  Islands,  1  specimen;  Dolgoi  Sound, 
30  fathoms,  1  specimen;  Bay  of  Islands,  8  specimens;  Avatscha 
Bay,  Kamtchatka,  1  specimen;  10  miles  west  of  Point  Franklin, 
Alaska,  13^  fathoms,  sand,  21  specimens;  between  Icy  Cape  and 
Cape Lisburne,  Alaska,  7  specimens;  lat.  53°  11'  N.;  long.  166°  51'  W. 
84  fathoms,  black  sand,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  40.6°,  8  speci- 
mens; Bering  Straits,  2  specimens;  Sitka,  1  specimen;  Alaska,  134 
specimens;  Arctic  Ocean,  1  specimen;  Albatross  Hydrographic  station 
1141,  off  Alaska,  84  fathoms,  8  "specimens.  Bathymetric  range,  9 
to  372  fathoms.  Temperature  range,  51.4°  to  29.8°.  One  thousand 
six  hundred  and  forty-three  specimens. 
These  specimens  vary  greatly  in  the 
disk  covering,  ranging  all  the  way  from 
those  with  numerous  disk  plates  sepa- 
rated by  lines  and  bands  of  nearly 
spherical  granules  to  those  in  which 
the  disk  is  largely  covered  by  coarse 
spines,  and  only  one  or  two  plates  can 
be  distinguished.  Many  of  the  speci- 
mens so  grade  into  japonica  that  sep- 
aration from  that  variety  is  difficult 
and  arbitrary.  As  a  rule,  the  supple-  FIG.  48.— OPHIOPHOLIS  ACULEATA.  xa. 

!      ,  ~       i  FROM  ABOVE. 

mentary  upper  arm  plates  are  much 

coarser  and  more  angular  than  in  japonica  (compare  fig.  48  with  fig. 
476),  and  this  peculiarity  is  very  noticeable  when  these  Alaskan  speci- 
mens are  compared  with  some  from  the  coast  of  Maine.  The  majority 
of  the  Alaskan  specimens  have  relatively  few  large  supplementary 
plates,  as  in  fig.  48,  while  the  Maine  specimens  have  numerous  small 
ones ;  in  the  Alaskan  specimens,  too,  the  disk  is  commonly  more  or  less 
spiny,  while  I  have  never  seen  spiny  specimens  from  the  Atlantic.  The 
Albatross  collections  leave  no  doubt  that  in  Ophiopholis  aculeata,  as  in 
Ophiura  sarsii  and  0.  nodosa,  we  have  a  species  of  circumpolar  distri- 
bution extending  far  to  the  south  in  both  the  Atlantic  and  Pacific 
oceans.  The  specimens  here  recorded  from  off  Washington,  Oregon, 
and  California  are  all  small  and  obviously  young.  They  would  probably 
be  more  properly  regarded  as  var.  Jcennerlyi,  but  as  they  are  too  young 
to  show  definite  characters,  it  has  seemed  best  to  record  them  simply 
as  aculeata  One  of  the  specimens  from  Captains  Harbor  is  remark- 


132  BULLETIN    75,   UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 

able  in  that  it  has  only  four  rays.  The  largest  specimen  is  18  mm. 
across  the  disk,  a  smaller  maximum  than  that  of  either  of  the  two 
varieties. 

OPHIOPHOLIS  ACULEATA  var.  KENNERLYI. 

Ophiopholis  kennerlyi  LYMAN,  Proc.  Boston  Soc.  Nat.  Hist.,  vol.  7,  1860,  p.  200. 
Ophiopholis  caryi  LYMAN,  Proc.  Boston  Soc.  Nat.  Hist.,  vol.  7,  1860,  p.  261. 

Localities.— Albatross  station  2849,  off  Alaska,  lat.  55°  16'  N.; 
long.  160°  28'  W.,  69  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  43°, 
1  specimen;  station  2850,  off  Alaska,  lat.  54°  52 '  N.;  long.  159°  46' W., 
21  fathoms,  broken  shells,  bottom  temperature  48.2°,  62  specimens; 
station  2856,  off  Alaska,  lat.  58°  7'  N. ;  long.  151°  36'  W.,  68  fathoms, 
gray  sand,  black  specks,  bottom  temperature,  44°,  5  specimens; 
station  2862,  off  Washington,  lat.  50°  49'  N.;  long.  127°  36'  30"  W., 
238  fathoms,  gray  sand  and  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  44.7°,  7 
specimens;  station  2865,  off  Washington,  lat.  48°  12'  N".;  long.  122° 
49'  W.,  40  fathoms,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  51.7°,  6  specimens; 
station  2873,  off  Washington,  lat.  48°  30'  N.;  long.  124°  57'  W.,  40 
fathoms,  rocky,  bottom  temperature  47.8°,  3  specimens;  station  2875, 
off  Washington,  lat.  48°  30'  N.;  long.  124°  57'  W.,  40  fathoms,  rocks, 
shells,  bottom  temperature  47.8°,  12  specimens;  station  2877,  off 
Washington,  lat  48°  33'  N.;  long.  124°  53'  W.,  59  fathoms,  black 
sand,  mud,  bottom  temperature  45.5°,  3  specimens;  station  2889,  off 
Oregon,  lat.  43°  59'  N. ;  long.  124°  56'  W.,  46  fathoms,  clay,  shells,  bot- 
tom temperature  47.7°,  1  specimen;  station  3095,  off  Oregon,  lat. 
42°  44'  45"  N.;  long.  124°  38'  10"  W.,  42  fathoms,  rocks,  stones, 
broken  shells,  bottom  temperature  47°,  3  specimens;  station  3116, 
off  California,  lat.  37°  5'  30"  N.;  long.  122°  19' W.,  16  fathoms,  rocky, 
6  specimens;  station  3159,  off  California,  lat.  37°  47'  20"  N.;  long. 
123°  10'  W.,  27  fathoms,  rocky,  4  specimens;  station  3214,  off  Alaska, 
lat.  54°  13'  N.;  long.  163°  6'  W.,  38  fathoms,  gray  sand,  gravel,  2 
specimens;  station  3220,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  15'  N. ;  long.  165°  6'  W., 
34  fathoms,  gravel,  broken  shells,  2  specimens;  station  3262,  Bering 
Sea,  lat.  54°  49'  30"  N.;  long.  165°  2'  W.,  43  fathoms,  broken  shells, 
rocks,  bottom  temperature  40.7°,  16  specimens;  station  3322,  Bering 
Sea,  lat.  53°  28'  45"  N.;  long.  167°  23'  50"  W.,  35  fathoms,  black 
sand,  bottom  temperature  42.4°,  2  specimens;  station  3593,  off 
Washington,  lat.  48°  11'  30"  N.;  long.  122°  48'  W.,  37  fathoms, 
rocky,  bottom  temperature  46°,  3  specimens;  station  4193,  off  Bowen 
Island,  Gulf  of  Georgia,  18  to  23  fathoms,  green  mud,  fine  sand, 
bottom  temperature  50.3°,  1  specimen;  Humboldt  Bay,  Alaska,  41 
specimens;  Kadiak,  16  specimens;  Portage  Bay,  Alaska,  7  speci- 
mens; Bellkofski,  1  specimen;  Unalaska,  6  specimens;  Semidi 
Island,  8  fathoms,  5  specimens;  Donnelly  Point,  Loring,  Alaska,  16 
specimens;  Killisnoo,  Alaska,  15  specimens;  Mary  Island,  Alaska, 


NORTH   PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK.       133 

1  specimen;  Round  Island,  Unga,  2  specimens;  Sitka,  1  specimen; 
Alaska,  9  specimens;  Straits  of  Fuca,  2  specimens;  Puget  Sound,  1 
specimen;  Monterey,  California,  4  speci- 
mens; west  coast  of  America,  1  specimen. 
Bathymetrical  range,  8  to  238  fathoms. 
Temperature  range,  51.7°  to  40.7°.  Two 
hundred  and  sixty-seven  specimens. 

The  Albatross  collections  leave  no  room 
for  doubt  that  the  intergradation  between 
caryi,  Jcennerlyi,  and  aculeata  is  complete, 
but  it  is  convenient  to  retain  the  name 
Jcennerlyi  for  the  ordinary  American  Pacific 
coast  form  which  has  only  radial  plates 

.         FIG.    49.— OPHIOPHOLIS     ACULEATA 

visible,  or  none  at  all,  and  no  spines  on  the      VAR.  KENNERLYI.    x2.co.    FROM 
disk.     The  largest  specimen  in  the  collec-      ABOVE. 
tion  is  from  Kadiak  and  measures  22  mm.  across  the  disk  on  which 
only  three  of  the  radii  have  bare  plates. 

OPHIOCHITON  FASTIGATUS. 
Ophiochiton  fastigatus  LYMAN,  Bull.  Mua.  Comp.  Zool.,  vol.  5,  1878,  p.  132. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  3695,  off  Tsuragi  Saki,  Honshu  Island, 
Japan,  110  to  259  fathoms,  green  mud,  fine  sand,  8  specimens;  station 
3697,  off  Manazuru  Zaki,  Honshu  Island,  Japan,  120  to  265  fathoms, 
gray  mud,  volcanic  sand,  2  specimens;  station  3704,  off  Seno  Umi, 
Honshu  Island,  Japan,  94  to  150  fathoms,  fine  volcanic  sand,  4  speci- 
mens; station  4907,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  31°  39' 30"  N.;  long.  129°  24'  E., 
406  fathoms,  gray  globigerina  ooze,  bottom  temperature  42.6°,  1 
specimen;  station  5056  Suruga  Gulf,  Japan,  lat.  34°  57'  35"  N. ;  long. 
138°  43'  35"  E.,  258  fathoms,  green  mud,  broken  shells,  foraminifera, 
bottom  temperature  46°,  1  specimen;  station  5057,  Suruga  Gulf, 
Japan,  lat.  34°  58'  40"  N.;  long.  138°  34'  E.,  270  fathoms,  gray  mud, 
bottom  temperature  44.8°,  1  specimen;  station  5073,  Suruga  Gulf, 
Japan,  lat.  34°  46'  N.;  long.  138°  21'  50"  E.,  148  fathoms,  gray  mud, 
bottom  temperature  54.6°,  3  specimens;  station  5088,  Sagami  Bay, 
lat.  35°  11'  25"  N.;  long.  139°  28'  20"  E.,  369  to  405  fathoms,  green 
mud,  bottom  temperature  41.8°,  2  specimens;  station  5091,  Uraga 
Strait,  lat.  35°  4'  10"  N.;  long.  139°  38'  12"  E.,  197  fathoms,  green 
mud,  coarse  black  sand,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  47.6°,  1  speci- 
men; station  5092,  Uraga  Strait,  lat.  35°  4'  50"  N.;  long.  139°  38'  18" 
E.,  70  fathoms,  coarse  black  sand,  bottom  temperature  56.3°,  3 
specimens;  station  5094,  Uraga  Strait,  lat.  35°  4'  42"  N.;  long. 
139°  38'  20"  E.,  88  fathoms,  black  sand,  broken  shells,  bottom  tem- 
perature 54.8,  4  specimens.  Bathymetrical  range,  70  to  406  fathoms. 
Temperature  range,  56.3°  to  41.8°.  Thirty  specimens. 


134 


BULLETIN    75,   UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 


These  specimens  have  been  compared  with  a  cotype  of  Lyman's 
and  there  is  no  doubt  of  their  identity.  The  disk  diameter  ranges 
from  11  to  22  mm.  There  are  usually  three  arm  spines  present, 
sometimes  only  two,  but  in  the  larger  specimens  there  are  often  four. 
The  greatest  diversity  is  shown  in  the  shape  of  the  mouth  shields,  for 
while  it  is  true  that  they  are  usually  much  wider  than  long,  in  some 
specimens  they  are  nearly  oval  in  outline  and  quite  as  long  as  broad. 
Intergradations  between  the  two  extremes  are  common.  Specimens 
with  long  oral  shields  have  the  adoral  plates  very  indistinct  or  almost 
wanting.  The  degree  of  carination  on  the  under  side  of  the  base  of  the 
arm  is  also  subject  to  considerable  variation. 

OPHIACTIS  PTEROPOMA,  new  species.-* 

Disk  5  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  20  to  25  mm.  long.  Disk  cov- 
ered by  rather  coarse  scales,  150  to  200  altogether,  without  any  disk 


FIG.  50.— OPITIACTIS  PTEROPOMA.    xio. 


a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE  ARM 

JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 


spines.  Radial  shields  long  and  narrow,  separated  by  a  linear  series 
of  three  scales,  or  in  contact  at  outer  end.  Arms  six,  broad  at  base, 
but  becoming  attenuate  at  tip.  Upper  arm  plates  broadly  triangular, 
with  rounded  angles,  much  wider  than  long,  not  actually  in  contact 
even  at  base  of  arm,  though  side  arm  plates  do  not  meet  between 
them  there.  Interbrachial  spaces  below  closely  covered  with  scales. 
Oral  shields  variable,  broad,  triangular,  or  top-shaped,  with  lateral 
angles  rounded.  Adoral  plates  long  and  narrow,  wider  without  than 


a  Urspov,  signifying  wing,  and  retina,  signifying  lid,  in  reference  to  the  wing-shaped 
oral  papillae. 


I 
NORTH   PACIFIC   OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM  —  CLARK.       135 

within.  Oral  papillae  single,  at  outer  corner  of  mouth  angle,  very 
large,  flat,  and  wing-shaped.  Teeth  minutely  notched.  Genital 
slits  narrow.  First  under  arm  plate  very  small,  tetragonal,  about  as 
wide  as  long;  second,  much  larger,  somewhat  pentagonal;  succeeding 
plates  tetragonal,  becoming  wider  than  long  ;  first  and  second  in  con- 
tact, but  succeeding  plates  hardly  touch  each  other,  thougbTthey 
separate  the  side  arm  plates  widely.  Latter  rather  large,  not  meeting 
either  above  or  below  at  base  of  arm,  but  soon  touching  and  meeting 
broadly  at  tip  ;  each  plate  carries  three  arm  spines,  of  which  the  upper- 
most is  about  twice  as  long  as  lowest,  which  is  equal  to  an  arm  joint. 
Tentacle  scales  single,  very  large,  oval.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol), 
disk,  pale  gray;  upper  side  of  arms,  pink;  arm  spines  and  lower  surface, 
whitish. 

Localities.  —  Albatross  station  4810,  Sea  of  Japan,  lat.  41°  17'  20  " 
N.  ;  long.  140°  7'  E.,  195  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  bottom  temperature 
44.7°,  1  specimen;  station  4965,  off  eastern  Japan,  lat.  33°  35'  20"  N.; 
long.  135°  10'  50"  E.,  191  fathoms,  dark  green-gray  sand,  shells,  bottom 
temperature  49.4°,  6  specimens;  station  4967,  off  eastern  Japan,  lat. 
33°  25'  10"  N.  ;  long.  135°  37'  20"  E.,  244  to  253  fathoms,  brown  mud, 
sand,  foraminifera,  bottom  temperature  45.9°,  1  specimen.  Bathy- 
metrical  range,  191  to  253  fathoms.  Temperature  range  49.4°  to 
44.7°.  Eight  specimens. 

Type.—  Cut.  No.  25640,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4965. 

Although  there  are  several  indications  besides  the  size  and  the 
presence  of  six  arms  that  the  specimens  from  station  4965  are  young, 
the  individual  from  4967  measures  6  mm.  across  the  disk,  and  is  quite 
probably  mature,  yet  it  does  not  differ  in  any  important  particular 
from  the  others,  except  that  the  upper  arm  spine  is  not  equal  to  two 
joints  and  the  color  is  uniformly  whitish.  In  any  case,  the  very  large 
oral  papillae,  the  six  arms,  the  long  arm  spines  and  the  peculiar  upper 
arm  plates  combine  to  give  a  very  characteristic  appearance,  and  I 
know  of  no  species  to  which  the  specimens  could  be  referred.  The 
one  from  station  4810  is,  however,  so  small  (disk  diameter  less  than  3 
mm.)  that  its  identity  is  bound  to  be  somewhat  uncertain. 

OPHIACTIS  BRACHYGENYS,  new  species,  a   . 

Disk  5  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  25  mm.  long.  Disk  covered 
with  about  two  hundred  scales  of  diverse  sizes  and  indefinite  arrange- 
ment. Radial  shields  long  and  narrow,  separated  except  at  their 
distal  ends.  Arms  five,  broad  at  base,  but  slender  at  tip.  Upper 
arm  plates  transverse,  elliptical,  or  low  triangular,  with  rounded  an- 
gles, scarcely  in  contact  even  at  base  of  arm.  Interbrachial  spaces 
below  completely  covered  with  fine  scales.  Oral  shields  low,  trian- 


,  signifying  short,  and  r&uf  ,  signifying  jaw,  in  reference  to  the  small  mouth 
angles. 


136  BULLETIN    75,   UNITED   STATES    NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 


gular,  with  rounded  angles,  wider  than  long,  somewhat  variable. 
Side  mouth  shields  large,  nearly  horizontal,  much  wider  without  than 
within.  Oral  papillae  single  in  outer  corner  of  mouth  angle,  large, 
flat,  and  wing-shaped.  Teeth  notched  so  that  some  of  the  lower  ones 
seem  to  have  three  points.  Genital  slits  broad  and  conspicuous. 
First  under  arm  plate  small,  triangular,  with  a  distal  angle  or 
tetragonal  with  distal  margin  narrow;  succeeding  plates  more  or  less 
hexagonal  (or  tetragonal)  with  rounded  angles,  wider  than  long, 
scarcely  or  not  at  all  in  contact,  though  the  side  arm  plates  do  not 
meet  between  them  at  base  of  arm.  Side  arm  plates  large,  meeting 
below  and  above  on  distal  part  of  arm;  each  plate  carries  three  mod- 
erately stout  spines, 
uppermost  longest  and 
longer  than  an  arm 
joint.  Tentacle  scales 
single,  large,  oval. 
Color  (dried  from  alco- 
hol), very  light  yellow- 
ish, grayish,  or  nearly 
white. 

Localities. — Albatross 
station  3697,  off  Mana- 
zuru  Zaki,  Honshu  Is- 
land, Japan,  120  to  265 
fathoms,  gray  mud, 
volcanic  sand,  1  speci- 
men; station  4956, 
southeastern  Japan, 
lat.  32°  32'  N.;  long. 
132°25'E.,720fathoms 
green-brown  mud,  fine 
gray  sand,  foraminif- 
era,  bottom  tempera- 
ture 37.5°,  1  specimen; 
station  4957,  southeastern  Japan,  lat.  32°  36' N.;  long.  132°  23' E., 
437  fathoms,  green-brown  mud,  fine  gray  sand,  foraminifera,  bottom 
temperature  39.8°,  2  specimens.  Bathymetrical  range  120  to  720 
fathoms.  Temperature  range  39.8°  to  37.5°.  Four  specimens. 
Type.—C&t.  No.  25602,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4957. 
The  specimen  from  station  3697  measures  9  mm.  across  the  disk. 
It  differs  from  the  type  in  having  the  radial  shields  separated  even  at 
the  tip,  the  upper  arm  plates  are  lower  and  wider,  and  both  the  upper 
and  under  arm  plates  seem  to  be  nearer  together.  There  are  a  very 
few  short  spines  at  margin  of  disk  and  below,  and  in  several  of  the 
mouth  angles  a  small  second  oral  papilla  is  distal  to  the  large  one. 


FIG.  51.— OPHIACTIS  BEACHYGENYS.    X10.    a,  PROM  ABOVE;  6,  FROM 
BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OP  TWO  ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK.       137 

The  adoral  plates  are  broadly  in  contact  both  radially  and  interradi- 
ally  and  so  make  a  continuous  circumoral  ring,  as  in  HemipJiolis.  The 
principal  difference  between  this  species  and  the  preceding  is  in  the 
number  of  arms,  but  this  striking  difference  is  associated  with  several 
minor  ones,  such  as  the  form  of  the  oral  shields  and  adoral  plates,  the 
length  of  the  arm  spines,  and  the  color. 

OPHIACTIS  DYSCRITA,  new  species,  a 

Disk  2.5  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  10  mm.  long.  Disk  cov- 
ered with  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  coarse  scales.  Radial  shields 
long  and  narrow,  separated,  except  at  distal  ends,  by  a  single  wedge- 
shaped  scale.  Arms  six,  not  very  attenuate.  Upper  arm  plates 
somewhat  pentagonal  (or  hexagonal)  much  wider  than  long,  with 
lateral  angles  rounded,  more  or  less  in  contact  with  each  other,  on 


FIG.  52.—  OPHIACTIS  DYSCRITA.    X20.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO  ARM  JOINTS 

NEAR  DISK. 

basal  half  of  arm.  Interbrachial  spaces  below  closely  scaled.  Geni- 
tal slits  rather  conspicuous.  Oral  shields  oval  or  ovoidal,  about  as 
long  as  wide  or  a  little  shorter.  Adoral  plates  large,  not  meeting 
within,  enlarged  at  outer  ends.  Oral  papillae,  single,  on  each  side 
of  mouth  angle,  small  and  flat.  First  under  arm  plate  small,  longer 
than  wide,  narrowed  distally;  succeeding  plates  more  or  less  pentag- 
onal, about  as  wide  as  long,  more  or  less  in  contact  on  basal  part  of 
arm.  Side  arm  plates  moderate,  meeting  above  and  below  on  distal 
half  of  arm;  each  plate  carries  three  spines,  of  which  the  middle  one 
is  longest  or  at  least  as  long  as  the  uppermost,  and  equals  the  joint. 
Tentacle  scales  single,  moderately  large,  oval.  Color  (dried  from 
alcohol),  gray. 


,  signifying  hard  to  determine,  in  reference  to  the  doubtful  value  of  the 
specific  characters. 


138  BULLETIN   75,   UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 

Locality.— Albatross  station  4937,  Kagoshima  Gulf,  lat.  31°  13'  N.; 
long.  130°  43'  10"  E.,  58  fathoms,  mud,  lava,  pebbles,  bottom  tem- 
perature 64.8,  1  specimen. 

Type.—  Cat.  No.  25610,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4937. 

This  specimen  is  so  small  and  so  obviously  young,  it  is  a  great  pity 
to  have  to  give  it  a  name,  but  it  clearly  does  not  belong  with  any  of 
the  other  species  of  Ophiactis  in  the  collection,  for  the  oral  shields, 
adoral  plates,  oral  papillae,  arm  plates  and  spines  are  all  more  or 
less  distinctive.  I  can  not  find  any  previously  known  species  to 
which  I  can  refer  it  and  I  have  therefore  decided  to  call  it  dyscrita. 

OPHIACTIS  BRACHYASPIS,  new  species.* 

Disk  3  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  15  mm.  long.  Disk  covered  by 
about  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  irregular  scales,  without  spinelets. 
Radial  shields  short,  though  longer  than  wide,  well  separated  within 
but  touching  distally.  Arms  six,  not  very  attenuate.  Upper  arm 


FIG.  53.— OPHIACTIS  BRACHYASPIS.    x  16.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;   6,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE 

ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

plates  elliptical,  much  wider  than  long,  broadly  in  contact  far  out 
on  arm.  Interbrachial  spaces  below  covered  with  scales.  Genital 
slits  very  inconspicuous.  Oral  shields  rounded  pentagonal,  much 
wider  than  long.  Adoral  plates  short  and  broad  but  meeting  in 
midradial  line.  Oral  papillae  single,  one  on  each  jaw  margin,  flat  and 
wide.  First  under  arm  plate,  apparently  concealed  by  meeting  of 
adoral  plates;  second  plate  (seemingly  first)  large,  squarish  or  broadly 
hexagonal;  succeeding  plates  somewhat  longer  than  wide,  almost  if 
not  quite,  broadly  in  contact.  Side  arm  plates  moderate,  not  meet- 
ing above  or  below  on  basal  half  of  arm,  each  with  four  short,  thick 
arm  spines,  of  which  the  middle  pair  are  longest  and  about  equal  the 

a  Bpaxbf,  signifying  short,  and  doTtle,  signifying  shield,  in  reference  to  the  short 
radial  shields. 


NORTH   PACIFIC  OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM — CLARK.       139 

joint.  Tentacle  pores  on  first  arm  joint  very  large,  protected  by 
two  scales;  succeeding  pores  less  conspicuous,  protected  by  a  single 
large,  oval  scale.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  light  brown. 

Locality. — Albatross  station?     "No  label  in  jar,  Nov.  1892." 

Type.—C&t.  No.  25638,  U.S.N.M. 

This  little  specimen  is  doubtless  still  young,  but  the  unusual~coTii- 
bination  of  six  arms,  short  radial  shields,  elliptical  upper  arm  plates, 
long  tetragonal  under  arm  plates  and  four  short  arm  spines  distinguish 
it  from  any  other  known  Ophiactis.  It  is  a  great  pity  that  there  is  no 
clue  to  the  locality  of  this  interesting  species. 

OPHIACTIS  GYMNOCHORA,  new  species,  a 

Disk  5  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  30  mm.  long.  Disk  cov- 
ered by  about  two  hundred  small  scales,  which,  along  the  margin, 
carry  little  spines.  Radial  shields  long  and  narrow,  separated  within 
but  in  contact  distally.  Arms  six,  remarkably  stout  in  proportion 


FIG.  54.—  OPHIACTIS  GYMNOCHORA.    X  10.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;   6,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE 

ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

to  the  size  of  disk.  Upper  arm  plates  broadly  hexagonal  or  heptag- 
onal,  much  wider  than  long,  in  contact  throughout;  many  are 
broken  into  two  or  more  pieces.  Interbrachial  spaces  below  quite 
bare,  save  for  scales  alongside  the  genital  slits,  which  are  rather  large. 
Oral  shields  rounded  without  and  pointed  within,  about  as  wide  as 
long.  Adoral  shields  narrow  within  and  much  broader  at  outer 
end,  not  meeting  either  radially  or  interradially.  Oral  papillae  two 
or  three  on  a  side,  large,  flat,  rounded  at  tip.  First  under  arm  plate 
small,  triangular;  succeeding  plates  much  larger,  more  or  less  octag- 
onal, nearly  or  quite  as  long  as  wide,  broadly  in  contact  throughout. 
Side  arm  plates  rather  small,  not  meeting  either  above  or  below; 

,  signifying  space,  in  reference  to  the  bare 


,  signifying  naked,  and 
interbrachial  spaces. 


140  BULLETIN    75,   UNITED  STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

each  one  carries  five  or  six  short,  thick  arm  spines,  of  which  the  upper- 
most is  longest  and  equals  the  joint.  First  tentacle  pore  with  two 
scales;  succeeding  pores  with  single,  large,  oval  scales.  Color  (dried 
from  alcohol),  brown,  the  terminal  portions  of  the  arms  faintly 
banded  or  variegated  with  a  lighter  shade. 

Locality. — Tanegasima,  Japan  (North  Pacific  Exploring  Expedi- 
tion), three  specimens. 

Type.— Cat.  No.  3324,  U.S.N.M. 

The  smallest  specimen  has  the  disk  less  than  3  mm.  across.  It  has 
only  four  arm  spines,  a  single  oral  papilla  on  each  side,  and  short 
radial  shields,  so  that  it  resembles  the  type  of  brachyaspis  quite 
strongly,  but  the  shape  of  the  arm  plates  and  particularly  the  form 
and  arrangement  of  the  oral  shields  and  adoral  plates  make  it  im- 
possible for  me  to  regard  the  two  as  identical.  The  six  stout  arms, 
small  disk,  naked  interbrachial  spaces,  characteristic  arm  plates 
and  oral  shields,  two  or  three  oral  papilla,  and  six  arm  spines  will 
serve  to  distinguish  gym,nochora  from  other  species  of  Ophiactis 
without  difficulty. 

AMPHIURA  BELLIS. 

Amphiura  bellis  LYMAN,  Bull.  Mus.  Comp.  ZooL,  vol.  6,  1879,  p.  19. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  3697,  off  Manazuru  Zaki,  Honshu 
Island,  Japan,  120  to  265  fathoms,  gray  mud,  volcanic  sand,  2  speci- 
mens; station  3707,  off  Ose  Zaki,  Honshu  Island,  Japan,  63  to  75 
fathoms,  volcanic  sand,  ashes,  gravel,  1  specimen;  station  4971,  off 
eastern  Japan,  lat.  33°  23'  30"  N.;  long.  135°  34'  E.,  649  fathoms, 
brown-green  mud,  foraminifera,  bottom  temperature  38.1°,  1  speci- 
men; station  5083,  off  Omai  Saki,  Japan,  lat.  34°  4'  20"  N. ;  long.  137° 
57'  30"  E.,  624  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  globigerina,  bottom  tempera- 
ture 38.1°,  1  specimen.  Bathymetrical  range,  63  to  649  fathoms. 
Five  specimens. 

These  specimens  agree  admirably  in  all  particulars  with  Lyman's 
description  and  figures.  The  largest  specimen  is  11  mm.  across  the 
disk,  but  one  of  the  others,  which  now  has  a  pentagonal  disk,  with 
deeply  concave  sides,  7  mm.  across,  was  formerly  nearly  13  mm. 
across  the  disk,  as  shown  by  the  condition  of  the  base  of  the  arms. 
It  is  an  unusually  interesting  example  of  disk-shedding  followed  by 
regeneration. 

AMPHIURA  DIOMEDE.E. 

Amphiura  diomedex  LUTKEN  and  MORTENSEN,  Mem.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  vol.  23, 
1899,  p.  151. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  3696,  off  Manazuru  Zaki,  Honshu 
Island,  Japan,  501  to  749  fathoms,  green  mud,  volcanic  ashes,  sand, 
9  specimens;  station  3697,  off  Manazuru  Zaki,  Honshu  Island,  Japan, 
120  to  265  fathoms,  gray  mud,  volcanic  sand,  1  specimen;  station 


NORTH   PACIFIC   OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK.       141 

3699,  off  Port  Arari,  Honshu  Island,  Japan,  400  to  726  fathoms,  gray 
mud,  volcanic  particles,  24  specimens;  station  4833,  Sea  of  Japan, 
lat.  36°  13'  40"  N. ;  long.  135°  56'  30"  E.,  79  fathoms,  dark  gray  sand, 
rocks,  bottom  temperature  53.2°,  1  specimen;  station  4937,  Kago- 
shima  Gulf,  lat.  31°  13'  N.;  long.  130°  43'  10"  E.,  58  fathoms,  mud, 
lava,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  64.8°,  1  specimen;  station  ^946, 
off  eastern  Japan,  lat.  31°  29'  10"  N.;  long.  130°  34'  30"  E.,  39 
fathoms,  brown  sand,  broken  shells,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature 
68.7°,  1  specimen;  station  5053,  Suruga  Gulf,  lat.  34°  49'  20"  N.; 
long.  138°  40'  15"  E.,  503  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature 
34.9°,  34  specimens;  station  5054,  Suruga  Gulf,  lat.  34°  52'  45"  N.; 
long.  138°  42'  20"  E.,  282  fathoms,  green  mud,  broken  shells,  fora- 
minifera,  bottom  temperature  45.3°,  2  specimens;  station  o056,  Suruga 
Gulf,  lat.  34°  57'  35"  N.;  long.  138°  43'  35"  E.,  258  fathoms,  green 
mud,  broken  shells,  foraminifera,  bottom  temperature  46°,  1  speci- 
men; station  5057,  Suruga  Gulf,  lat.  34°  58'  40"  N. ;  long.  138°  34'  E., 
270  fathoms,  gray  mud,  bottom  temperature  44.8°,  5  specimens;  sta- 
tion 5061,  Suruga  Gulf,  lat.  35°  4'  50"  N.;  long.  138°  38'  E.,  250  to 
332  fathoms,  brown  mud,  fine  gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  43.7°, 
2  specimens;  station  5073,  Suruga  Gulf,  lat.  36°  46'  N.;  long.  138° 
21'  50"  E.,  148  fathoms,  gray  mud,  bottom  temperature  54.6°,  4 
specimens;  station  5079,  off  Omai  Saki,  lat.  34°  15'  N.;  long.  138°  E., 
475  to  505  fathoms,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  39.1°,  1  specimen; 
station  5082,  off  Omai  Saki,  lat.  34°  5'  N.;  long.  137°  59'  E.,  662 
fathoms,  green  mud,  fine  sand,  globigerina,  bottom  temperature  37.7°, 
1  specimen;  station  5085,  Sagami  Bay,  lat.  35°  6'  45"  N.;  long.  139° 
19'  45"  E.,  622  fathoms,  green  mud,  fine  black  sand,  bottom  tempera- 
ture 37.8°,  1  specimen;  station  5087,  Sagami  Bay,  lat.  35°  9'  40"  N.; 
long.  139°  19'  5"  E.,  614  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature 
37.5°,  3  specimens.  B at hymetrical  range,  39  to  749  fathoms.  Tem- 
perature range,  68.7°  to  34.9°.  Ninety-one  specimens. 

These  specimens  range  in  size  from  those  3  mm.  across  the  disk  to 
those  11  mm.  They  agree  well  with  the  descriptions  and  figures  of 
Liitken  and  Mortensen,  and  comparison  with  some  of  their  Panamic 
specimens  confirms  the  identification.  It  is  noteworthy  indeed  to 
find  this  species  on  the  Japanese  coast. 

AMPHIURA  SUNDEVALLI. 

OphiolepissundevalliMiJLLER  and  TROSCHEL,  Sys.  Ast.,  1842,  p.  93. 
Amphiura  sundevalli  LJUNGMAN,  Oph.  Viv.,  1866,  p.  320. 

Localities. — Alaska,  Corwin  coll.,  1  specimen;  Bering  Strait,  12 
fathoms,  gravel,  2  specimens. 

The  specimens  measure  about  10  mm.  across  the  disk  and  are  well 
preserved.  There  seems  to  be  no  room  for  doubt  as  to  their  identity 
with  European  and  Greenland  specimens,  so  that  we  have  here  still 
another  apparently  circumpolar  species  of  ophiuran. 


142  BULLETIN    75,    UNITED    STATES    NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

AMPHIURA  CARCHARA,  new  species.a 

Disk  8  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  35  mm.  long.  Disk  covered 
by  numerous  (250  to  300)  scales.  Radial  shields  long  and  narrow, 
separated  throughout  or  in  contact  distally .  Upper  arm  plates  more  or 
less  pentagonal  or  hexagonal,  decidedly  rounded  distally,  in  contact  at 
least  to  some  extent  on  basal  half  of  arm.  Interbrachial  spaces  below 
naked,  save  near  margin,  where  the  scaling  ends  abruptly.  Oral 
shields,  rounded  pentagonal,  rather  wider  than  long.  Adoral  plates 
narrow  within  but  broader  at  outer  end,  not  in  contact  with  each  other 
at  either  end.  Oral  papillae  two  on  a  side,  one  rounded  knob-like,  at 
apex  of  jaw,  and  one,  which  is  long  and  spiniform,  in  outer  corner  of 
mouth  angle.  Genital  slits  large.  First  under  arm  plate  very  small, 
pentagonal;  succeeding  plates  squarish  or  pentagonal,  slightly  in 
contact  with  each  other  basally.  Side  arm  plates  large,  meeting 


FIG.  55.— AMPHIURA  CARCHARA.    X  0.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE  ARM 

JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

above  and  below  except  on  basal  part  of  arm,  where  they  are  slightly 
separated;  each  plate  carries  three  subequal  arm  spines  about  equal 
to  a  joint.  Tentacle  scale  single  and  small.  Color  (dried  from  alco- 
hol), pale  gray  or  nearly  white,  except  interbrachial  spaces  below  which 
are  brownish-yellow. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  2854,  off  Alaska,  lat.  56°  55'  N.;  long. 
153°  4'  W.,  60  fathoms,  black  sand,  bottom  temperature  42.8°,  4 
specimens;  station  3069,  off  Washington,  lat.  47°  25'  30"  N.;  long. 
125°  42'  W.,  760  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  37.6°,  1 
specimen;  station  3338,  off  Alaska,  lat.  54°  19'  N.;  long.  159°  40'  W., 
625  fathoms,  green  mud,  sand,  bottom  temperature  37.3°,  6  speci- 
mens; station  3340,  off  Alaska,  lat.  55°  26'  N.;  long.  155°  26'  W.,  695 

,  signifying  sharp-pointed,  in  reference  to  the  peculiar  oral  papillae. 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK.       143 

fathoms,  mud,  bottom  temperature  36.8°,  113  specimens;  station 
4761,  off  Alaska,  lat.  53°  57'  30"  N.;  long.  159°  31' W.,  1,973  fathoms, 
blue  clay,  bottom  temperature  35°,  3  specimens;  station  4766,  Bering 
Sea,  lat.  52°  38'  N.;  long.  174°  49'  W.,  1,766  fathoms,  bottom  tem- 
perature ?  (about  35°),  13  specimens;  station  5087,  Sagami  Bay,  lat. 
35°  9'  40"  N.;  long.  139°  19'  5"  E.,  614  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom 
temperature  37.5°,  1  specimen;  locality  ?,  21  specimens.  Bathymet- 
rical  range,  60  to  1,973  fathoms.  Temperature  range,  42.8°  to  35°. 
One  hundred  and  sixty-two  specimens. 

Type.— Cat.  No.  25594,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  2859. 

This  species  will  be  easily  recognized  by  the  combination  of  naked 
interbrachial  spaces,  long  radial  shields,  one  tentacle  scale,  three  arm 


FIG.  50.— AMPHIURA  LEPTODOMA. 


X  15.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;   b,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO  ARM 

JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 


spines,  and  spine-like  outer,  oral  papillae.  The  specimens  range  in 
size  from  less  than  3  mm.  disk  diameter  to  a  full  8  mm.  No  differ- 
ences were  detected  between  the  specimens  from  60  fathoms  and  those 
from  1,973.  It  is  interesting  to  note  that  in  spite  of  this  great  bathy- 
metrical  range,  the  temperature  range  is  less  than  8°  and  the  bottom 
at  all  the  stations  was  soft,  without  rocks  or  shells. 

AMPHIURA  LEPTODOMA,  new  species.a 

Disk  a  little  more  than  3  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  25  mm. 
long.  Disk  covered  by  numerous  (300  to  400)  small  scales.  Radial 
shields  large,  about  twice  as  long  as  wide,  separated,  except  at  distal 
ends.  First  upper  arm  plate  twice  as  wide  as  long,  elliptical;  suc- 
ceeding plates  broadly  oval,  wider  than  long,  scarcely  in  contact. 

a  AsTZTodouof,  signifying  slightly  built,  in  reference  to  the  general  appearance. 


144 


BULLETIN    75,   UNITED   STATES    NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 


Interbrachial  spaces  below  naked.  Genital  slits  rather  large.  Oral 
shields  nearly  elliptical,  much  wider  than  long.  Adoral  plates 
roughly  triangular,  with  the  side  next  the  oral  shield  deeply  concave, 
not  meeting  either  radially  or  interradially.  Oral  papillae  two  on  a 
side,  one  large  and  conspicuous  at  apex  of  jaw,  one  minute  and  scale- 
like  at  outer  corner  of  mouth  angle;  first  oral  tentacle  scale  conspicu- 
ous and  giving  the  impression  of  being  a  third  oral  papilla.  First 
under  arm  plate  small,  tetragonal  or  pentagonal;  succeeding  plates 
much  larger,  somewhat  pentagonal,  with  a  proximal  angle,  rather 
longer  than  wide,  scarcely  in  contact.  Side  arm  plates  rather  small, 
barely  meeting,  above  and  below,  on  basal  part  of  arm;  each  plate 
carries  three  subequal  spines,  about  as  long  as  the  arm  joint.  Ten- 
tacle pores  very  large,  but  tentacle  scales  single  and  small.  Color 
(dried  from  alcohol),  grayish. 
Locality.— Albatross  station  4781,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  52°  14'  30"  N.; 


FIG.  57.— AMPHIURA  EUOPLA.    c-c,  X  5;  d,  YOUNG,  x  10.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  b,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW 

OF  THREE  ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK;   d,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO  ARM   JOINTS  FROM   A  YOUNG  SPECIMEN. 

long.  174°  13'  E.,  482  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  pebbles,  bottom  tem- 
perature 38.6°,  1  specimen. 

Type.— Cat.  No.  25627,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4781. 

This  specimen  does  not  seem  to  be  referable  to  any  known  amphiu- 
roid  and  I  have  accordingly  thought  best  to  give  it  a  name.  The 
naked  interbrachial  spaces,  the  three  arm  spines,  the  peculiar  oral 
papillae,  and  the  single  tentacle  scale  combine  with  the  characteristic 
oral  shields,  adoral  plates,  and  upper  arm  plates  to  give  the  species  a 
unique  appearance. 

AMPHIURA  EUOPLA,  new  species.o 

Disk  10  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  80  mm.  long.  Disk  covered 
by  numerous  (500  to  600)  small  scales,  the  largest  of  which  are  around 
the  radial  shields.  Radial  shields  about  twice  as  long  as  broad,  more 

a  EuonXoe,  signifying  well-armed,  in  reference  to  the  numerous,  rather  crowded  arm 
spines. 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM — CLARK.       145 

or  less  separated  at  least  proximally.  Upper  arm  plates  tetragonal 
or  somewhat  pentagonal,  wider  than  long,  becoming  transversely 
elliptical,  more  or  less  broadly  in  contact  throughout.  Interbrachial 
spaces  below  naked.  Oral  shields  longer  than  wide,  somewhat 
rounded  diamond-shaped.  Adoral  plates  large,  roughly  triangular 
'in  outline.  Oral  papillse  two  on  a  side,  one  thick,  rounded  at  apex 
of  jaw,  and  one  long,  thick  and  spine-like  at  outer  corner  of  mouth 
angle.  Genital  slits  large.  First  under  arm  plate  small,  tetragonal, 
narrowest  distally;  succeeding  plates  squarish  with  rounded  corners, 
about  as  wide  as  long,  more  or  less  completely  in  contact.  Side  arm 
plates  high  but  short,  not  meeting  below  or  above,  each  with  six  or 
seven  flattened,  blunt  arm  spines,  of  which  the  lowest  is  the  longest 
(but  little  exceeds  a  joint),  while  the  uppermost  is  sometimes  thick- 
ened at  tip.  In  a  young  specimen  there  are  only  four  or  five  arm 
spines.  Tentacle  scales  two  on  each  pore,  large  and  of  nearly  equal 
size.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  disk,  pale  gray;  interbrachial  spaces 
below,  brown;  arms  yellowish  or  whitish. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  3713,  off  Ose  Zaki,  Honshu  Island, 
Japan,  45  to  48  fathoms,  volcanic  sand,  shells,  rocks,  1  specimen; 
station  3714,  off  Ose  Zaki,  Honshu  Island,  Japan,  48  to  60  fathoms, 
volcanic  sand,  shells,  rocks,  11  specimens. 

Type.—C&t.  No.  25651,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  3714. 

Although  the  specimen  from  station  3713  is  less  than  4  mm.  across 
the  disk  and  has  only  four  or  five  arm  spines,  there  is  no  doubt  what- 
ever of  its  identity  with  the  large  ones.  The  naked  interbrachial 
spaces,  spine-like  oral  papillae,  long  oral  shields,  large  tentacle  scales, 
and  characteristic  arm  plates  are  unmistakable  distinguishing  marks. 
Combined  with  the  numerous  arm  spines  of  the  adult  they  make  the 
species  an  easily  recognized  one. 

AMPHIURA  ACRYSTATA,  new  species.o 

Disk  10  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  130  to  150  mm.  Disk  usu- 
ally more  or  less  naked  at  center  and  in  the  interradii,  but  around 
the  radial  shields  there  is  a  variable  amount  of  close,  fine  scaling; 
in  some  specimens  (fig.  58$)  the  entire  disk  is  covered  by  minute  scales. 
Radial  shields  long  and  narrow,  in  contact  distally.  Basal  upper  arm 
plates  rather  small,  somewhat  pentagonal,  with  a  short  proximal  side ; 
succeeding  plates  more  transverse,  elliptical  (though  sometimes  angu- 
lar), very  much  wider  than  long,  in  contact  throughout.  Inter- 
brachial spaces  below  naked,  or  more  or  less  covered  with  minute 
scales.  Oral  shields  nearly  oval,  almost  as  wide  as  long.  Adoral 
plates  large,  narrow  and  meeting  within  (or  nearly  so),  very  broad  at 

0  ' AKpuaraTos ,  signifying  surrounded  with  nets,  in  reference  to  the  appearance  of  the 
radial  shields. 

34916°— Bull.  75—11 10 


146 


BULLETIN    75,   UNITED   STATES    NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 


outer  end.  Oral  papillae  two  on  a  side,  one  thick  and  knob-like  at 
apex  of  jaw,  the  other  long,  thick,  and  spine-like  at  outer  corner  of 
mouth  angle;  tentacle  scale  of  first  oral  tentacle  pore,  long  and 


FIG.  58.— AMPHIURA  ACEYSTATA.    a-/,  X  5.    g-i,  x  4.    a-c,  TYPE,    a,  FROM  ABOVE;    6,  FROM  BELOW; 

C,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO  ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK;  d,  ANOTHER  SPECIMEN,  FROM  ABOVE;  €,  FROM  BELOWJ 
/,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO  ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK;  g,  ANOTHER  SPECIMEN,  FROM  ABOVE;  h,  FROM  BELOW; 
i,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE  ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK.  , 

spine-like,  easily  mistaken  for  an  oral  papilla.     First  under  arm  plate 
much  wider  within  than  distally ;  second  plate  pentagonal ;  succeeding 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK.       147 

plates  more  tetragonal,  rather  wider  than  long  in  the  type,  but  in 
some  specimens  (fig.  58e}  longer  than  wide,  in  contact  throughout. 
Side  arm  plates  high,  but  narrow,  particularly  near  base  of  arm,  where 
they  are  well  separated  by  patches  of  naked  skin;  each  plate  carries 
six  or  seven  (rarely  only  five)  slender,  more  or  less  flattened,_sharp 
spines,  of  which  the  lowest  is  the  longest,  a  little  exceeding  the  joint. 
Tentacle  pores  large,  each  with  two  rather  small  tentacle  scales. 
Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  bare  skin,  deep  brown;  scales,  grayish; 
arms,  yellowish. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  3132,  off  California,  lat.  36°  44'  N.; 
long.  121°  51'  W.,  33  fathoms,  brown  mud,  bottom  temperature  52.1°, 
26  specimens;  station  3695,  off  Tsuragi  Saki,  Honshu  Island,  Japan", 
110  to  259  fathoms,  green  mud,  fine  sand,  4  specimens;  station  4965, 
off  eastern  Japan,  lat.  33°  35'  20"  N.;  long.  135°  10'  50"  E.,  191 
fathoms,  dark  green-gray  sand,  shells,  bottom  temperature  49.4°,  2 
specimens;  station  4987,  Sea  of  Japan,  lat.  43°  19'  20"  N.;  long. 
140°  17'  E.,  59  fathoms,  rocky,  bottom  temperature  44.8°,  2  speci- 
mens; station  5036,  south  of  the  Hokkaido,  lat.  41°  58'  N. ;  long.  142° 
30'  30"  E.,  464  fathoms,  brown  mud,  bottom  temperature  37.9°, 
2  specimens;  station  5039,  south  of  the  Hokkaido,  lat.  42°  11'  N. ; 
long.  141°  57'  E.,  269  to  326  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  tem- 
perature 37.9°,  8  specimens;  station  5043,  south  of  the  Hokkaido,  lat. 
42°  10'  20"  N. ;  long.  142°  15'  20"  E.,  309  to  330  fathoms,  brown  mud, 
fine  black  sand,  coral,  sand,  bottom  temperature  37.9°,  9  specimens; 
Monterey  Harbor,  Cal.,  8  to  12  fathoms,  1  specimen.  Bathymetrical 
range,  33  to  464  fathoms.  Temperature  range,  52.  1°  to  37.9°.  Fifty- 
four  specimens. 

Type.— Cat.  No.  25623,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  3132. 

These  specimens  vary  in  disk  diameter  from  5  to  16  mm.  In  the 
smallest,  the  disk  is  covered  with  minute  scales  except  close  to  the 
interradial  margins,  while  in  the  largest  there  is  no  scaling  on  the 
disk  except  very  close  to  the  radial  shields.  In  specimens  of  all 
sizes  (except  one  large  one),  there  are  six  or  seven  arm  spines. 
The  diversity  in  the  amount  of  scaling  on  the  disk  and  interbrachial 
spaces  below  is  most  remarkable,  affording  an  unusually  interesting 
case  of  resorption  of  calcareous  matter.  Scales  seem  to  be  present  in 
young  specimens  and  in  regenerating  disks,  but  their  presence  is  not 
wholly  a  matter  of  youthfulness,  for  there  is  some  individual  variation 
in  the  matter.  The  condition  of  the  disk  in  the  type-specimen  re- 
minds one  strongly  of  Ophionephthys,  but  the  oral  papillae  are.  quite 
different  from  those  of  that  genus.  In  all  particulars,  except  the 
naked  disk  of  many  large  specimens,  acrystata  is  so  evidently  an 
Amphiura,  it  has  not  seemed  to  me  either  practicable  or  desirable  to 
remove  it  from  that  genus.  There  seem  to  be  no  characters  by  which 
the  specimens  from  station  3132  can  be  distinguished  from  the 


148  BULLETIN    75,    UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

others;  one  can  hardly  avoid  the  suspicion  that  "3132"  should  read 
"3732,"  which  is  a  station  in  Japanese  waters.  The  specimen  from 
Monterey  Harbor  is  very  possibly  not  this  species,  but  it  seems  to  be- 
long here  rather  than  with  any  known  Californian  species. 

AMPHIURA  ECNOMIOTATA,  new  species.o 

Disk  6  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  probably  about  85  mm.  long.  Disk 
naked,  except  close  to  radial  shields,  which  are  unusually  long  and 
narrow,  and,  though  very  close  together,  are  in  contact  only  near 
outer  ends.  Upper  arm  plates  extraordinarily  narrow,  somewhat 
elongated  oval,  nearly  concealed  by  the  apparent  meeting  of  the  rows 
of. arm  spines  on  upper  side  of  arm;  upper  arm  plates  in  contact  with 
each  other,  at  least  at  base  of  arm.  Interbrachial  spaces  below, 
naked.  Oral  shields,  long  pentagonal,  rounded  and  narrow  distally, 
longer  than  wide.  Adoral  plates  nearly  horizontal,  wider  without 
than  within.  Oral  papillss  two  on  a  side,  one  at  apex  of  jaw,  short 
and  thick,  one  near  tip  of  adoral  plate,  long  and  spine-like;  tentacle 


FIG.  59.— AMPHIURA  ECNOMIOTATA.    x  8.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;    6,  FROM  BELOW;    c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE 

ARM   JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

scale  of  first  oral  pore,  sharp  and  spine-like,  easily  mistakable  for  an 
oral  papilla.  Genital  slits,  short  but  wide.  First  under  arm  plate 
very  small,  nearly  triangular,  with  the  base  proximal;  succeeding 
plates  at  first  oval  and  much  longer  than  wide,  but  gradually  becom- 
ing squarish,  about  as  wide  as  long,  with  rouno^ed  angles,  and  a  notch 
in  the  distal  margin ;  more  or  less  in  contact  with  each  other  through- 
out. Side  arm  plates  very  large,  though  apparently  not  in  contact 
with  each  other  either  above  or  below,  at  least  on  basal  part  of  arm; 
each  plate  carries  ten  delicate  though  rather  thick  arm  spines,  the 
lowest  the  longest,  a  little  exceeding  a  joint;  at  the  tip  these  spines 
are  very  rough  with  minute  booklets  and  spinelets;  the  arm  spines 
are  so  numerous,  crowded,  long,  and  rough  that  the  arm  fairly 
bristles  with  them.  Tentacle  pores  large,  but  tentacle  scales  none. 
Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  dull  yellowish-white. 

a  'EKvo/juorara,  signifying  most  unusual,  in  reference  to  the  combination  of  several 
unusual  characters. 


NORTH   PACIFIC   OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM — CLARK.       149 

Locality. — Albatross  station  3702,  off  Seno  Umi,  Honshu  Island, 
Japan,  31  to  41  fathoms,  volcanic  mud,  sand,  rocks,  1  specimen. 

Type.— Cut.  No.  25628,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  3702. 

It  is  to  be  regretted  that  only  a  single,  badly  broken  specimen  rep- 
resents this  remarkable  species  in  the  collection.  It  combines  such 
an  unusually  large  number  of  arm  spines  with  such  peculiar  Tipper 
arm  plates  and  unusually  naked  disk  that  it  is  really  quite  unique. 

AMPHIURA  TRACHYDISCA,  new  species,  a 

Disk  13  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  probably  from  125  to  150  mm.  in 
length.  Disk  covered  with  very  numerous  scales,  the  larger  of  which 
bear  hemispherical  or  more  elevated  swellings,  which  on  the  inter- 
radial  margins  become  somewhat  cylindrical,  and  may  be  nearly  half 
a  millimeter  long.  Radial  shields  about  twice  as  long  as  wide,  sepa- 
rated or  just  in  contact  distally.  Upper^arm  plates  about  twice  as 


FIG.  f.o.— AMPHIURA  TRACHYDISCA.    X  4.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO  ARM 

JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

wide  as  long,  rather  broadly  in  contact ;  the  shape  may  be  considered 
either  a  more  or  less  angular  transverse  oval,  or  a  very  wide,  short 
hexagon  with  rounded  angles;  the  first  two  or  three  are  smaller  than 
those  which  follow.  Interbrachial  spaces  below  covered  by  a  very 
close  coat  of  small  and  minute  scales,  only  the  larger,  marginal  ones 
bearing  the  characteristic  swellings.  Oral  shields  broadly  oval, 
about  as  wide  as  long,  somewhat  abruptly  narrowed  distally.  Adoral 
plates  roughly  triangular,  with  the  longest  side  adjoining  the  oral 
shield  and  deeply  concave.  Oral  papillae,  two  on  a  side,  one  round 
and  thick  at  apex  of  jaw,  and  one  stout,  acute  and  spine-like  at  outer 
corner  of  mouth  angle ;  tentacle  scale  of  first  oral  pore  also  large  and 
spine-like.  Genital  slits  short  and  inconspicuous.  First  under  arm 


,  signifying  rough,  and  OCOKOC,  signifying  disk,  in  reference  to  the  remark- 
ably rough  disk. 


150  BULLETIN   75,   UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 

plate  tetragonal,  wider  within  than  distally;  succeeding  plates  more 
or  less  hexagonal,  pentagonal,  or  tetragonal,  with*  rounded  corners, 
more  or  less  broadly  in  contact  throughout.  Side  arm  plates  rather 
small,  those  at  base  of  arm  separated  from  each  other  by  areas  of 
naked  skin;  each  plate  carries  four  arm  spines,  of  which  the  highest 
and  lowest  are  somewhat  the  longest  and  rather  exceed  the  joint. 
Tentacle  pores  large,  protected  by  two  rather  large  scales.  Color 
(dried  from  alcohol),  pale  gray,  pale  yellow,  or  nearly  white. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  3737,  off  Port  Heda,  Honshu  Island, 
Japan,  161  to  167  fathoms,  green  mud,  volcanic  sand,  18  specimens; 
station  3738,  off  Port  Heda,  Honshu  Island,  Japan,  167  fathoms, 
stiff  blue  mud,  24  specimens;  station  5069,  Suruga  Gulf,  lat.  35°  3'  10" 
N.;  long.  138°  47'  E.,  108  to  131  fathoms,  mud,  sand,  broken  shells, 
bottom  temperature  55.8°,  3  specimens;  station  5073,  Suruga  Gulf, 
lat.  34°  46'  N.;  long.  138°  21'  50"  E.,  148  fathoms,  gray  mud,  bottom 
temperature  54.6°,  9  specimens;  station  5094,  Uraga  Strait,  lat.  35° 
4'  42"  N.;  long.  139°  38'  20"  E.,  88  fathoms,  black  sand,  broken 
shells,  bottom  temperature  54.8°,  2  specimens.  Bathymetrical  range 
88  to  167  fathoms.  Temperature  range  55.8°  to  54.6°.  Fifty-six 
specimens. 

Type—Csit.  No.  25632,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  5094. 

This  is  a  very  good  series  of  specimens,  ranging  in  disk  diameter 
from  4  to  14  mm.  The  smallest  specimens  do  not  have  the  lumps 
on  the  disk  scales,  though  the  scales  near  the  margin  and  in  the  inter- 
brachial  spaces  below  are  somewhat  rough;  in  a  specimen  8  mm. 
across  the  disk,  the  lumps  are  very  well  developed.  These  lumps  are 
a  very  characteristic  species  mark,  and  when  taken  in  connection 
with  the  oral  papillae  and  arm  plates  and  spines,  they  make  it  difficult 
to  confuse  this  species  with  any  other. 

AMPHIURA  MICRASPIS,  new  species." 

Disk  4  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  20  mm.  long  probably.  Disk 
covered  by  numerous  small  scales,  of  which  the  largest  are  near 
center.  Radial  shields  very  small,  well  separated,  two  or  three 
times  as  long  as  broad.  Upper  arm  plates  somewhat  hexagonal  or 
fan-shaped,  about  as  wide  as  long,  narrow  proximally,  in  contact 
with  each  other,  at  least  on  base  of  arm.  Interbrachial  spaces  below 
covered  by  a  close  coat  of  fine  scales.  Oral  shields  large,  broadly 
oval,  about  as  wide  as  long.  Adoral  plates  triangular,  lying  at  sides 
of  oral  shields.  Oral  papillae,  two  on  a  side,  one  thick  and  rounded 
at  apex  of  jaw,  and  one  broad,  flat,  and  fan-shaped,  on  adoral 
plate.  Genital  slits  short  and  wide.  First  under  arm  plate  broadly 
tetragonal,  but  very  small;  succeeding  plates  tetragonal,  with 

«  MfKpof,  signifying  small,  and  daxec,  signifying  shield,  in  reference  to  the  small 
radial  shields. 


NORTH   PACIFIC   OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM — CLARK.       151 

rounded  corners,  longer  than  wide,  broadly  in  contact.  Side  arm 
plates  moderate,  not  meeting  above  or  below,  at  least  on  base  of 
arm;  each  plate  carries  six  or  seven  cylindrical,  blunt  arm  spines, 
of  which  all  but  the  lowest  are  subequal  and  about  as  long  as  the 
joint;  the  lowest  is  decidedly  longer  than  the  rest,  and  near  the 
middle  of  the  arm  is  fully  twice  as  long  as  the  others.  ~~Tentttcle 
scale,  single,  elongated  oval.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  very  light 

gray- 

Locality. — Albatross  station  3735,  off  Omai  Zaki,  Honshu  Island, 
Japan,  36  fathoms,  coarse  gray  volcanic  sand,  broken  shells,  1 
specimen. 

Type. — Accidentally  destroyed  immediately  after  the  illustrations 
given  herewith  had  been  completed. 

It  is,  of  course,  a  matter  of  great  regret  that  the  unique  specimen 
here  described  should  have  met  with  such  an  untimely  fate,  but 


FIG.  61.—  AMPHIURA  MICRASPIS.    x  12.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;   6  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE  ARM 

JOINTS  NEAR  DISK;    d,  SIDE  VIEW   OF  AN  ARM   JOINT  NEAR  MIDDLE  OF  ARM. 

nevertheless  it  seems  best  to  publish  the  description  and  figures 
since  the  small  radial  shields,  peculiar  oral  papillae,  and  the  con- 
spicuous lowest  arm  spine  combine  to  make  the  species  one  which 
will  be  very  easily  recognized. 

AMPHIURA  PYCNOSTOMA,  new  species.a 

Disk  4  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  22  mm.  long.  Disk  covered  by 
about  two  hundred  coarse  scales,  among  which  the  six  primary  plates 
are  rather  prominent.  Radial  shields  twice  as  long  as  wide,  in  contact 
distally,  but  well  separated  at  inner  ends.  Upper  arm  plates  some- 
what hexagonal,  with  outer  corners  much  rounded,  decidedly  wider 
than  long,  broadly  in  contact.  Interbrachial  spaces  below,  well 


,  signifying  closed,  and  arfym,  signifying  mouth,  in  reference  to  the  way 
in  which  the  peculiar  scales  of  the  first  pair  of  oral  tentacle  pores  close  the  mouth. 


152 


BULLETIN    75,   UNITED   STATES    NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 


covered  with  scales.  Genital  slits  short.  Oral  shields  very  broadly 
oval,  much  wider  than  long.  Adoral  plates  unusually  large  and 
conspicuous,  meeting  broadly  within,  about  twice  as  long  as  wide; 
oral  plates,  correspondingly  large.  Oral  papillae,  two  on  a  side,  one 
small,  thick,  rounded,  at  apex  of  jaw,  the  other  small,  flat,  some- 
what triangular,  on  adoral  plate;  scales  of  first  oral  tentacle  pores 
very  wide  and  flat,  but  low  and  truncate,  meeting  each  other  across 
the  mouth  slits  so  as  to  tightly  close  the  mouth.  First  under  arm 
plate  elongated  (so  that  mouth  slits  are  short),  much  longer  than 
wide,  narrow  at  inner  end,  but  rather  abruptly  widened  near  middle, 
and  gradually  narrowed  a  little  at  distal  end;  succeeding  plates 
somewhat  hexagonal  or  heptagonal,  with  rounded  corners,  and 
lateral  sides  concave,  about  as  wide  as  long,  rather  broadly  in  con- 
tact. Side  arm  plates  low  and  long,  not  meeting  either  below  or 
above;  each  one  carries  three  stout  spines,  thick  at  base  but  taper- 


FIG.  62.— AMPHIUEA  PYCNOSTOMA.    x  12.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;    b,  FROM  BELOW;    c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE 

ARM   JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

ing  rapidly  to  a  sharp  point;  middle  one  longest  and  about  as  long 
as  joint.  Tentacle  pores  large,  but  the  single  tentacle  scale  is  very 
small.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  disk,  very  pale  gray,  arms 
whitish. 

Locality. — Albatross  station  4972,  off  eastern  Japan,  lat.  33°  25'  45" 
N.;  long.  135°  33'  E.,  440  fathoms,  brown-green  mud,  foraminifera, 
bottom  temperature  39.8°,  1  specimen. 

Type.— Cat.  No.  25641,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4972. 

Although  this  specimen  is  probably  young  and  is  unique  in  the  collec- 
tion, it  seems  best  to  make  it  the  type  of  a  new  species  on  account  of 
the  remarkable  mouth  parts,  which  are  unlike  those  of  any  Amphiura 
I  have  ever  seen.  The  peculiarly  stout  arm  spines  and  large  tentacle 
pores,  each  with  a  very  small  scale,  are  additional  diagnostic  char- 
acters. 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK.       153 

AMPHIURA  PSILOPORA,  new  species." 

Disk  4  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  20  mm.  long.  Disk  covered 
by  comparatively  few  (180  to  200)  large  scales.  Radial  shields  short, 
rounded  triangular,  not  twice  as  long  as  wide,  widely  separated  prox- 
imally  but  touching  distally.  Upper  arm  plates  broadly  triangular, 
wider  than  long,  scarcely  in  contact;  distal  margin  very  convex. 
Interbrachial  spaces  below  covered  by  about  fifteen  to  twenty  coarse 
scales.  Oral  shields  rounded  distally  and  with  a  rounded  point 
proximally,  somewhat  longer  than  wide.  Adoralr  plates  very  large, 
triangular  with  a  truncate  angle  where  they  touch  the  second  under 
arm  plate,  and  a  blunt  angle  where  they  touch  each  other,  proximal  to 
the  oral  shield;  oral  plates  also  very  large.  Oral  papillae,  two  on  a 
side,  one  very  large,  thick,  and  rounded  at  apex  of  jaw,  the  other 


FIG.  (13.—  AMPHIURA  PSILOPORA.    x  12.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  &,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TIIRFE  ARM 

JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

long,  stout  and  spine-like  at  inner  end  of  adoral  plate;  scale  of  first 
oral  tentacle  pore  conspicuous,  broad,  and  truncate.  Genital  slits 
small.  First  under  arm  plate  tetragonal,  wider  within  than  distally; 
succeeding  plates  somewhat  hexagonal,  longer  than  wide,  more  or  less 
broadly  in  contact.  Side  arm  plates  moderately  large,  not  meeting 
either  above  or  below,  at  least  near  base  of  arm;  each  plate  carries 
four  (or  three  on  most  joints)  rather  stout,  terete  spines,  of  which  the 
lowest  is  scarcely  longer  than  the  others  and  about  equals  the  joint. 
Tentacle  pores  large  and  wholly  naked.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol), 
yellowish-white. 


oc,  signifying  naked,  and  xopoc,  signifying  a  way  through,  a  pore,  in  reference 
to  the  absence  of  tentacle  scales. 


154 


BULLETIN   75,   UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 


Locality. — Plover  Bay,  East  Siberia,  15  to  20  fathoms  (William 
H.  Dall). 

Type.— Cat.  No.  16586,  U.S.N.M. 

It  is  most  unsatisfactory  to  establish  new  species  upon  single, 
young  specimens,  but  it  seems  to  me  much  better  to  name,  figure,  and 
describe  them  than  to  ignore  them  or  to  refer  them  to  species  to 
which  they  almost  certainly  do  not  belong.  This  unique  specimen, 
which  I  have  called  psilopora,  is  like  A.  gymnopora  Liitken  and  Mor- 
tensen  in  the  absence  of  tentacle  scales  and  the  presence  of  three  arm 
spines;  but  as  there  are  four  spines  on  some  of  the  basal  joints,  and 
as  the  disk  scales,  radial  shields,  outer  oral  papillae,  and  upper  and 
under  arm  plates  are  so  different  from  the  Panamic  form,  I  am  sure  it 
does  not  belong  to  that  species. 


AMPHIODIA  URTICA. 


Amphiura  urtica  LYMAN,  Proc.  Boston  Soc.  Nat.  Hist.,  vol.  7,  1860,  p.  195. 
Amphiodia  urtica  VERRILL,  Trans.  Conn.  Acad.,  vol.  10,  1899,  p.  313. 

Localities.— Albatross  station  3131,  off  California,  lat.  36°  41'  30" 
N.;  long.  121°  54'  10"  W.,  48  fathoms,  brown  mud,  rocks,  bottom 


FIG.  64.— AMPHIODIA  URTICA.    X  6. 


a,  FROM  ABOVE;    6,  FROM  BELOW;    c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE  ARM 

JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 


temperature  50.8°,  91  specimens;  station  3148,  off  California,  lat. 
37°  8'  N.;  long.  122°  28'  10"  W.,  47  fathoms,  brown  mud,  bottom 
temperature  51.3°,  1  specimen;  station  3165,  off  California,  lat. 
37°  59'  45"  N.;  long.  123°  8'  35"  W.,  SOfathoms,  green  mud,  bottom 
temperature  49°,  29  specimens;  Sanborn  Harbor,  Alaska,  50  speci- 
mens; Sitka,  15  fathoms,  mud,  3  specimens;  Puget  Sound,  3  speci- 
mens (Lyman's  originals);  Loc.  ?,  1  specimen.  Bathymetrical  range, 
15  to  50  fathoms.  Temperature  range  51.3°  to  49°.  One  hundred 
and  seventy-eight  specimens. 

As  this  very  interesting  species  has  never  been  figured,  it  seems  to 
be  worth  while  to  give  some  illustrations  showing  the  essential  char 
acters.     The  specimens  before  me  range  in  disk  diameter  from  2  to  9 
mm.,  so  that  it  is  evident  the  species  is  of  small  size,  though  the  arms 
are  exceedingly  long,  and  slender. 


NORTH    PACIFIC   OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK.       155 

AMPHIODIA  OCCIDENTALIS. 

Amphiura  ocddentalis  LYMAN,  Proc.  Boston  Soc.  Nat.  Hist.,  vol.  7,  1860,  p.  194. 
Amphiodia  ocddentalis  VERRILL,  Trans.  Conn.  Acad.,  vol.  10,  1899,  p.  313. 

Localities. — Monterey,  California,  1  specimen  (Lyman's  type); 
Puget  Sound,  1  specimen;  Kadiak,  Alaska,  1  specimen. 

This  species  has  been  sufficiently  figured  by  Lyman,  so  that  no~rlrus- 
trations  need  be  given  here.  The  arm  spines  are  the  most  charac- 
teristic specific  character.  The  range  northward  is  greatly  extended 
by  the  discovery  of  ocddentalis  at  Kadiak. 

AMPHIODIA  CRATERODMETA,  new  species.* 

Disk  8  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  32  mm.  long.  Disk  rather 
thick  and  stout,  covered  by  numerous,  coarse,  distinct  scales,  among 
which  the  primary  plates  are  not  conspicuous.  Radial  shields  about 
twice  as  long  as  wide,  closely  joined.  Upper  arm  plates  somewhat 


FIG.  f>5.  —  AMPHIODIA  CRATERODMETA.    x  6.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;   b,  FROM  RELOW;   c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE 

ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

variable,  broadly  triangular,  or  diamond-shaped,  with  lateral  angles 
truncate,  *or  somewhat  hexagonal,  much  wider  than  long,  only 
narrowly  in  contact.  Interbrachial  spaces  below  well  covered  with 
numerous,  distinct  scales.  Oral  shields  small,  rather  variable,  but 
usually  wider  than  long  and  pointed  proximally.  Adoral  plates 
very  large,  variable  in  shape,  somewhat  triangular  in  the  type,  with 
inner  sides  concave,  but  usually  they  are  tetragonal  and  meet  broadly 
at  their  inner  ends,  which  are  nearly  as  wide  as  outer.  Oral  papillae 
three  on  a  side,  subequal,  thick  and  rounded,  or  the  two  inner  ones 
may  be  somewhat  pointed.  Genital  slits  rather  large.  First  under 
arm  plate  small,  wider  than  long;  succeeding  plates  variable,  but 
generally  more  or  less  in  contact,  somewhat  pentagonal  and  about 
as  long  as  wide;  in  the  type  they  are  much  wider  than  long.  Side 


a  Kparep6e,  signifying  strong,  and  defjuu,  signifying  to  build,  in  reference  to  the  com- 
paratively stout  structure. 


156  BULLETIN   75,   UNITED  STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM, 

arm  plates  moderate,  hardly  meeting  above  or  below,  at  least  at 
base  of  arm;  each  plate  carries  three,  and  at  base  of  arm,  four  sharp, 
rather  slender  spines,  of  which  the  uppermost  may  be  a  little  the 
longest  and  somewhat  exceed  the  joint.  Tentacle  scales,  two,  small. 
Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  gray-brown,  brownish-yellow,  pale  gray 
or  nearly  white. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  2848,  off  Alaska,  lat.  55°  10'  N.; 
long.  160°  18'  W.,  110  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  41°, 
5  specimens;  station  3255,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  56°  33 '  30"  N.;  long.  164° 
31'  40"  W.,  43  fathoms,  green  mud,  sand,  bottom  temperature  £7°, 
5  specimens;  station  3529,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  58°  36'  N.;  long.  172°  24' 
W.,  56  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  36.1°,  1  specimen; 
station  3540,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  56°  27'  N. ;  long.  166°  8'  W.,  51  fathoms, 
green  mud,  fine  sand,  bottom  temperature  36°,  2  specimens;  station 
4794,  Sea  of  Okhotsk,  lat.  52°  47'  20"  N.;  long.  158°  44'  30"  E., 
58  to  69  fathoms,  sand,  pebbles,  1  specimen;  station  4844,  off  Korea, 
lat.  36°  34'  N.;  long.  132°  50'  20"  E.,  116  fathoms,  green  mud,  gray 
sand,  globigerina,  bottom  temperature  35.9°,  1  specimen;  station 
4997,  Gulf  of  Tartary,  lat.  47°  38'  40"  N.;  long.  141°  24'  30"  E., 
318  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  32.8°,  2  specimens; 
station  5010,  off  Saghalin,  lat.  46°  30'  30"  N.;  long.  142°  43'  30"  E., 
21  to  32  fathoms,  green  mud,  sand,  bottom  temperature  ?,  1  specimen; 
station  5033,  Yezo  Strait,  lat.  44°  4'  20"  N.;  long.  145°  28'  E.,  533 
fathoms,  green  mud,  fine  black  sand,  bottom  temperature  35.9°, 
2  specimens;  lat.  63°  37'  N.;  long.  165°  19' W.,  2  specimens;  Chiachi 
Islands,  20  fathoms,  Dall  collection,  1  specimen;  Iliuliuk,  Unalaska, 

1  specimen;  off  Cape  Sabine,  Alaska,  4  specimens;  10  miles  west  of 
Point   Franklin,   Alaska,    13?  fathoms,   sand,    1   specimen;  Bay  of 
Islands,  Adak,  Dall  collection,  1  specimen;  Port  Levashef,  Alaska, 

2  specimens;  off  Point  Hope,  Alaska,  25  fathoms,  1  specimen;  Coal 
Harbor,  Unga,  3  specimens;  Captains  Harbor,  Alaska,  15  specimens; 
Arctic  Ocean,  3  specimens;  Alaska,  10  specimens;  Alaska,  Dall  col- 
lection, 11  specimens;  Port  Clarence,  Alaska,  12  fathoms,  5  specimens; 
Loc.  ?,   4   specimens.     Bathymetrical    range,    12    to   533   fathoms. 
Temperature  range,  41°  to  32.8°.     Eighty-four  specimens. 

Type.—C&t.  No.  25613,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4997. 

These  specimens  range  in  disk  diameter  from  3  to  9  mm.  Several, 
in  which  the  disk  is  being  regenerated,  are  remarkable  for  the  small 
size  and  irregular  form  of  the  radial  shields.  Such  specimens,  if 
dark  colored,  have  a  striking  superficial  resemblance,  dorsally,  to 
Ophiura  maculata,  though  the  ventral  view  is,  of  course,  quite  different. 
Although  this  species  is  nearly  related  to  urtica,  it  is  so  much  more 
stoutly  built  and  the  disk  scales  are  so  much  coarser  that  the  two  species 
are  not  likely  to  be  confused.  The  adoral  plates  of  craterodmeta  and 


NORTH    PACIFIC   OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK.       157 

the  presence  of  four  arm  spines  on  the  basal  joints  of  the  arm  are 
excellent  diagnostic  characters. 

AMPHIODIA  MACRASPIS,  new  species." 

Disk  11  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  150  mm.  long,  probably. 
Disk  rather  soft,  inclined  to  be  swollen  and  more  or  less  deeply 
notched  in  interradii,  covered  with  very  numerous  scales,  which  are 
much  larger  around  the  radial  shields  than  they  are  at  center  of  disk 
and  in  the  interradii.  Radial  shields  long  and  curved,  rather  more 
than  three  times  as  long  as  wide,  separated  throughout  or  in  contact 
distally.  Upper  arm  plates  more  or  less  triangular,  with  truncated 
angles,  in  contact  with  each  other,  at  least  at  base  of  arm,  rather 
wider  than  long.  Interbrachial  spaces  below  covered  by  a  close,  fine 
scaling.  Oral  shields  pentagonal  or  more  hexagonal,  with  somewhat 
rounded  angles,  much  wider  than  long.  Adoral  plates  large,  about 
twice  as  long  as  broad,  nearly  or  quite  meeting  within.  Oral  papillae 
three  on  a  side  (in  large  specimens  there  is  an  additional  small 


FIG.  06.—  AMPHIODIA  MACRASPIS.    X  5.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  b,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE  ARM 

JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

papilla  at  the  distal  end  of  the  mouth  slit),  subequal,  though  the  one 
at  apex  of  jaw  is  rather  thicker  than  the  others;  between  first  and 
second,  the  tentacle  scale  of  the  first  oral  pore  appears  and  might  be 
mistaken  for  another  papilla.  Genital  slits,  large.  First  under  arm 
plate  very  small,  wider  than  long;  succeeding  plates  tetragonal, 
nearly  square  but  sometimes  longer  than  wide  (as  in  type,  fig.  66,  &), 
and  sometimes  wider  than  long;  broadly  in  contact  throughout. 
Side  arm  plates  small,  not  quite  meeting  above  at  base  of  arm,  widely 
separated  below;  each  plate  carries  five  (at  base  of  arm,  sometimes, 
six)  slender,  sharp  spines,  of  which  the  lowest  is  the  longest,  nearly 
equaling  the  joint,  but  the  uppermost  is  not  the  shortest.  Tentacle 
scale  single,  small;  on  some  of  the  basal  pores,  a  second  scale  is  present. 
Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  disk,  gray;  arms,  dirty  whitish;  in  several 
specimens  the  radial  shields,  some  of  the  larger  disk  scales,  and  the 


,  signifying  long,   and  danis  signifying  shield,   in  reference  to  the  long, 
narrow  radial  shields. 


158  BULLETIN    75,    UNITED   STATES    NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

arms,  especially  the  side  arm  plates,  have  a  decidedly  reddish  tint, 
the  red  being  of  a  brownish-orange  shade. 

Localities.  —  Albatross  station  3696,  off  Honshu  Island,  Japan,  501 
to  749  fathoms,  green  mud,  volcanic  ashes,  sand,  23  specimens; 
station  3708,  off  Ose  Zaki,  Honshu  Island,  Japan,  60  to  70  fathoms, 
green  mud,  volcanic  sand,  ashes,  1  specimen;  station  3709,  off 
Shimidzu  Harbor,  Honshu  Island,  Japan,  173  to  260  fathoms,  stiff 
blue  volcanic  mud,  rocks,  10  specimens;  station  3789,  off  Washington, 
lat.  48°  21'  45"  N.;  long.  124°  52'  30"  W.,  115  fathoms,  coarse  gray 
sand,  gravel,  1  specimen;  station  4862,  off  Korea,  lat.  36°  20'  N.; 
long.  129°  50'  E.,  184  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  32.9°, 
3  specimens;  station  4997,  Gulf  of  Tartary,  lat.  47°  38'  40"  N.;  long. 
141°  24'  30"  E.,  318  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  32.8°, 
11  specimens;  station  5056,  Suruga  Gulf,  lat.  34°  57'  35"  N.;  long. 
138°  43'  35"  E.,  258  fathoms,  green  mud,  broken  shells,  foraminifera, 
bottom  temperature  46°,  1  specimen;  station  5057,  Suruga  Gulf, 
lat.  34°  58'  40"  N.;  long.  138°  34'  E.,  270  fathoms,  gray  mud,  bottom 
temperature  44.8°,  6  specimens;  station  5085,  Sagami  Bay,  lat.  35° 
6'  45"  N.;  long.  139°  19'  45"  E.,  622  fathoms,  green  mud,  fine  black 
sand,  bottom  temperature  37.8°,  58  specimens.  Bathymetrical 
range,  60  to  749  fathoms.  Temperature  range,  46°  to  32.8°.  One 
hundred  and  fourteen  specimens. 

Type.—  Cat.  No.  25584,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  5057. 

This  species  is  not  likely  to  be  confused  with  any  other  member  of 
the  genus  save  the  following,  the  arrangement  of  the  disk  scales 
and  mouth  parts,  the  form  of  the  radial  and  oral  shields,  and  the 
number  of  arm  spines  and  tentacle  scales  being  very  distinctive. 
The  occurrence  in  large  specimens  of  an  extra  oral  papilla  distally 
may  naturally  raise  the  question  as  to  whether  the  species  belongs  in 
Amphiodia  or  AmpJiioplus.  In  view  of  all  the  characters,  however,  I 
do  not  think  there  can  be  any  serious  doubt  that  its  relationships  are 
actually  with  Amphiodia.  The  specimen  from  station  3789  is  not 
peculiar,  but  the  occurrence  of  this  species  at  that  point  certainly 
calls  for  some  comment. 

AMPHIODIA  EURYASPIS,  new  species.  « 

Disk  13  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  150  mm.  long.  Disk  more 
or  less  decagonal,  with  each  side  of  the  decagon  convex;  the  radial 
indentations  of  disk  more  marked  than  the  interradial;  disk  covered 
with  numerous  irregular  scales,  of  approximately  equal  size.  Radial 
shields  small,  short,  seldom  twice  as  long  as  wide,  in  contact  distally. 
Arm  plates,  interbrachial  spaces  below,  oral  shields,  adoral  plates, 
oral  papillae,  tentacle  scales  and  arm  spines  somewhat  variable  and 


bf,  signifying  broad,  and  danlf,  signifying  shield,  in  reference  to  the  short, 
wide  radial  shields. 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK.       159 

not  distinguishable  by  any  constant  characters  from  the  same  parts 
in  the  preceding  species  (macraspis) .  The  distal  oral  papillae  are 
often  distinctly  pointed,  the  oral  shields  are  sometimes  as  long  as  wide, 
and  the  number  of  arm  spines  is  commonly  four,  though  always  five  at 
base  of  arm,  but  never  six,  so  far  as  I  can  see  even  in  the  largest 
specimen.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  disk,  gray  or  brownish;  "arms, 
very  pale  brownish,  or  yellowish  or  nearly  white. 

Localities.— Albatross  station  3227,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  36'  30"  N.; 
long.  166°  54'  W.,  225  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  38.6°, 
72  specimens;  station  3478,  off  California,  lat.  36°  44'  45"  N.;  long. 
120°  57'  W.,  68  fathoms,  gray  sand,  mud,  3  specimens  and  a  mass  of 
arms;  station  4862,  off  Korea,  lat.  36°  20'  N. ;  long.  129°  50'  E.,  184 
fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  32.9°,  1  specimen;  station 
4863,  off  Korea,  lat.  36°  21'  N.;  long.  129°  53'  E.,  250  fathoms,  green 
mud,  bottom  temperature  32.7°,  1  specimen;  station  4997,  Gulf  of 
Tartary,  lat.  47°  38'  40"  N. ;  long.  141°  24'  30"  E.,  318  fathoms,  green 
mud,  bottom  temperature  32.8°,  2  specimens;  station  5066,  Suruga 


FIG.  67. — AMPHIODIA  EUKYASPIS.    x  4.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;   b,  FROM  BELOW;   c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE  ARM 

JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

Gulf,  lat.  35°  6'  5"  N. ;  long.  138°  40'  20"  E.,  211  to  293  fathoms,  fine 
black  sand,  bottom  temperature  50.8°,  1  specimen;  Iliuliuk,  Unalaska, 
1  specimen;  Bering  Sea,  5  specimens.  Bathymetrical  range,  68  to 
318  fathoms.  Temperature  range,  58°  to  32.7°.  Eighty-six  speci- 
mens. 

Type.—C&t.  No.  25652,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  3478. 

It  is  only  after  great  hesitation  that  I  have  determined  to  keep  this 
species  separate  from  the  preceding.  The  differences  in  the  scaling 
of  the  disk  and  in  the  form  of  the  radial  shields  are  obvious  and  seem 
to  be  remarkably  constant,  so  that  there  is  no  difficulty  in  deciding  to 
which  species  a  given  specimen  belongs.  Yet  it  is  difficult  to  find  any 
other  character,  which  is  at  all  reliable,  by  which  the  two  forms  can 
be  distinguished.  As  they  were  seldom  both  taken  at  the  same  sta- 
tion, thus  indicating  preference  for  somewhat  different  habitats,  my 
impression  of  their  distinctness  is  confirmed.  The  largest  specimen 
of  euryaspis  measures  16  mm.  across  the  disk.  One  of  the  specimens 
from  3227  has  six  arms. 


160  BULLETIN    75,    UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

AMPHIODIA  PERIERCTA,  new  species.o 

Disk  14  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  150  mm.  long  or  more, 
probably.  Disk  distinctly  pentagonal,  with  nearly  straight  sides,  the 
margin  formed  by  a  row  of  quite  distinct  scales,  which  may  stand  more 
or  less  erect  and  be  bluntly  pointed.  In  the  type,  the  interbrachial 
spaces  are  so  swollen,  presumably  with  the  reproductive  cells,  that  they 
project  out  far  beyond  this  margin  (see  fig.  68a),  while  in  a  smaller 
specimen  (fig.  68d)  drying  has  caused  enough  shrinkage  so  that  the 
disk  margin  is  a  little  concave  and  the  marginal  scales  are  just  below 
the  edge,  beyond  which  they  project  in  quite  a  conspicuous  manner. 
Disk  covered  by  numerous  irregular  scales,  the  largest  of  which  are 
near  the  radial  shields.  Radial  shields  small,  closely  joined,  at  least 


FIG.  68.— AMPHIODIA  PERIERCTA.    x  3.5.  a,  FROM  ABOVE;  b,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE  ARM 

JOINTS  NEAR  DISK;    d,  A  MUCH  YOUNGER  SPECIMEN,  FROM   ABOVE,  X  9. 

distally;  they  are  broadly  oval  in  the  young  specimen,  but  are  twice 
as  long  as  wide  in  the  type.  Upper  arm  plates  very  wide,  somewhat 
tetragonal  with  more  or  less  rounded  ends,  two  or  three  times  as  wide 
as  long,  broadly  in  contact  throughout.  Interbrachial  spaces  below, 
very  closely  covered  with  fine  scales,  in  marked  contrast  to  the  disk. 
Oral  shields  small,  somewhat  pentagonal  or  triangular,  with  an  inner 
angle,  and  outer  side  curved,  wider  than  long.  Adoral  plates  not 
conspicuous,  wider  without  than  within.  Oral  papillae  three  on  a 
side,  thick,  rounded  and  subequal.  Genital  slits  large.  First  under 
arm  plate,  small,  much  wider  than  long;  succeeding  plates  squarish, 

,  signify  ing  fenced  round,  in  reference  to  the  distinctly  bounded  disk. 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK.        161 

broadly  in  contact,  with  distal  margin  somewhat  concave.  Side  arm 
plates  small,  not  meeting  either  above  or  below;  each  plate  carries 
three  terete,  sharp  arm  spines,  of  which  the  middle  one  is  a  trifle  the 
longest  and  may  exceed  the  joint.  Tentacle  scales  two,  rather  large. 
Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  pale  fawn-color,  or  yellowish-brown. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  2885,  off  Oregon,  lat.  45°  56'  N. ;  long. 
124°  2'  W.,  30  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  49°,  1 
specimen;  Captains  Harbor,  Unalaska,  9  to  15  fathoms,  stones  and 
mud,  Dall  collection,  1  specimen. 

Type.—C&t.  No.  16391,  U.S.N.M.,  from  Captains  Harbor,  Un- 
alaska. 

The  type-specimen  is  labeled  "  Amphiura  occidentalis,"  and  there  is 
no  doubt  that  periercta  is  closely  related  to  that  species.  But  a 
glance  at  the  arm  spines  is  sufficient  to  distinguish  the  two,  for  in 
occidentalis  they  are  thick,  flattened,  and  remarkably  blunt,  while 
in  periercta  they  are  terete  and  sharp. 


FIG.  69.—  AMPHIODIA  ANCISTROTA.    x  5.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE  ARM 

JOINTS  NEAR  DISK;     d,  NEXT  TO  THE  LOWEST  ARM   SPINE,   X  10. 

AMPHIODIA  ANCISTROTA,  new  species." 

Disk  10  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  50  mm.  long.  Disk  covered 
by  numerous  small  scales,  which  are  somewhat  smaller  at  the  inter- 
radial  margins  than  elsewhere;  disk  tends  to  be  pentagonal  with 
sides  indented.  Radial  shields  small,  divergent,  touching  distally. 
Upper  ends  of  genital  scales,  usually  visible,  just  distal  to  radial 
shields,  each  often  with  a  small,  projecting  spinelet.  Upper  arm 
plates,  somewhat  tetragonal,  twice  as  wide  as  long,  narrower  prox- 
imally  than  distally,  broadly  in  contact;  lateral  and  proximal  margins 
tend  to  merge  into  a  continuous  curve.  Interbrachial  spaces  below 
covered  with  a  coat  of  very  fine  scales.  Oral  shields,  broadly  oval, 
wider  than  long.  Adoral  plates  nearly  horizontal,  very  narrow  at 
inner  end,  so  broad  at  outer  end  that  they  look  almost  triangular. 
Oral  papillae,  three  on  each  side,  subequal,  rounded,  and  a  fourth 
smaller  at  outer  corner  of  mouth  angle;  the  one  at  apex  of  jaw  is  the 


,  signifying  hooked,  in  reference  to  the  hooked  arm  spine. 
34916°—  Bull.  75—11  -  11 


162  BULLETIN    75,    UNITED    STATES    NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

thickest  of  all.  First  under  arm  plate  minute,  but  very  distinct, 
longer  than  wide;  succeeding  plates  squarish  and  broadly  in  contact, 
soon  becoming  pentagonal  and  narrowly  in  contact.  Side  arm 
plates  small,  not  meeting  above  or  below,  at  least  at  base  of  arm; 
each  plate  carries  four,  or  rarely  five,  slender,  very  acute  spines,  of 
which  the  third  or  fourth  is  distinctly  hooked  at  tip  and  microscop- 
ically serrate,  and  the  fourth  or  fifth  (lowest)  is  the  longest,  slightly 
exceeding  the  joint.  Tentacle  scales  two,  distinct  if  not  large.  Color 
(dried  from  alcohol),  disk,  grayish;  arms,  pale  brownish  or  nearly 
white. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  3698,  off  Manazuru  Zaki,  Honshu 
Island,  Japan,  153  fathoms,  green  mud,  volcanic  ashes,  sand,  16 
specimens;  station  3713,  off  Ose  Zaki,  Honshu  Island,  Japan,  45  to 
48  fathoms,  volcanic  sand,  shells,  rocks,  2  specimens  ^  station  3739, 
off  Ose  Zaki,  Honshu  Island,  Japan,  55  to  65  fathoms,  volcanic  sand, 
shells,  rocks,  21  specimens;  station  4817,  Sea  of  Japan,  lat.  38°  12' 
N. ;  long.  138°  52'  E.,  61  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  bottom  temper- 
ature 51.9°,  1  specimen;  station  4965,  off  eastern  Japan,  lat.  33° 
25'  20"  N.;  long.  135°  10'  50"  E.,  191  fathoms,  dark  green-gray  sand, 
shells,  bottom  temperature  49.4°,  3  specimens;  station  5091,  Uraga 
Strait,  lat.  35°  4'  10"  N.;  long.  139°  38'  12"  E.,  197  fathoms,  green 
mud,  coarse  black  sand,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  47.6°,  2  spec- 
imens; station  5092,  Uraga  Strait,  lat.  35°  4'  50"  N.;  long.  139°  38' 
18"  E.,  70  fathoms,  coarse  black  sand,  bottom  temperature  56.3°, 
5  specimens.  Bathymetrical  range,  45  to  197  fathoms.  Temper- 
ature range,  56.3°  to  47.6°.  Fifty  specimens. 

Type.—C&i.  No.  25601,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  3698. 

This  is  one  of  those  perplexing  species  which  link  Amphiodia  and 
Amphioplus  so  closely  that  the  latter  will  have  to  be  redefined  if  not 
abandoned.  In  the  present  species  there  are  certainly  four  oral 
papillae  on  a  side,  but  the  fourth  (outermost)  is  so  much  smaller  than 
the  others  that,  in  view  of  its  other  characters,  I  prefer  to  keep 
ancistrota  in  Amphiodia  for  the  present.  There  may  be  more  than 
one  of  the  arm  spines  in  each  group  hooked  at  the  end,  but  as  a  rule 
there  is  only  a  single  one  and  that  only  on  the  basal  part  of  the  arm. 
The  upper  arm  plates  and  the  tentacle  scales  taken  in  connection 
with  the  arm  spines  will  serve  to  distinguish  this  species. 

AMPHIODIA  DIGITULA,  new  species.a 

Disk  6  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  35  mm.  long,  probably. 
Disk  covered  by  a  close  coat  of  numerous  scales,  of  which  those  at 
the  center  are  the  largest  and  those  at  the  interradial  margins  are 
very  minute;  the  primary  plates  are  scarcely  distinguishable.  Radial 

a  Digitulus  (dim.  of  digitus},  signifying  a  little  finger,  in  reference  to  the  finger-like 
processes  on  the  spines  borne  by  the  genital  scales. 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK.       163 


shields  long  and  narrow,  separated  throughout  or  barely  touching 
distally.  Upper  arm  plates,  broadly  elliptical,  though  somewhat 
pointed  laterally,  twice  as  wide  as  long  (or  nearly  so),  nearly  or  quite 
in  contact.  Interbrachial  spaces  below  covered  by  a  very  fine 
scaling,  markedly  in  contrast  to  that  of  the  disk.  Oral  shield  qyoid, 
rather  longer  than  wide,  abruptly  narrowed  distally.  Adoral  plates 
long,  narrow  within,  where  they  meet,  but  very  broad  at  outer  end. 
Oral  papillae  three  on  a  side,  the  one  at  apex  of  jaw  thick  and  rounded, 
the  second  longer  and  pointed,  the  third  smaller  and  rounded;  be- 
tween first  and  second,  the  scale  of  first  oral  tentacle  pore  may  appear 
like  another  papilla.  Genital  slits  large,  each  bounded  by  a  long 
genital  scale,  the  thickened 
outer  end  of  which  is  vis- 
ible from  a'bove,  just  distal 
to  a  radial  shield ;  this  thick- 
ened end  carries  a  peculiar, 
slightly  curved  spine-like 
outgrowth,  which  is  some- 
what flattened  and  bears 
four  or  five  digit-like  proc- 
esses at  the  tip  (fig.  70,  d). 
First  under  arm  plate  very 
small,  squarish;  succeeding 
plates  rounded  pentagonal, 
longer  than  wide,  broadly 
in  contact.  Side  -  arm 
plates,  rather  small,  scarcely 
meeting  above,  and  not  at 
all  below ;  each  plate  carries 
four  slender,  acute  spines, 
subequal  (or  the  uppermost 
and  lowest,  longest),  about 
equal  to  the  joint.  Ten- 
tacle pores  large,  each  with 
two  good-sized  scales.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  very  light  grayish. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  3713,  off  Ose  Zaki,  Honshu  Island, 
Japan,  45  to  48  fathoms,  volcanic  sand,  shells,  rocks,  1  specimen; 
station  4815,  Sea  of  Japan,  lat.  38°  16'  N. ;  long.  138°  52'  E.,  70  fath- 
oms, dark  green  sand,  bottom  temperature  51°,  1  specimen. 

Type.—C&t.  No.  25530,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4815. 

It  is  hard  to  determine  how  much  weight  may  be  properly  placed 
on  the  peculiar  digitate  processes  on  the  ends  of  the  genital  scales,  as 
a  specific  character.  They  are  remarkably  well  developed  in  the 
type  but  in  the  specimen  from  station  3713  they  are  much  less 


FIG.  70.— AMPHIODIA  DIGITULA.    x  8.    a,  FROM   ABOVE;    6, 
FROM  BELOW;    c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE  ARM  JOINTS  NEAR 

DISK;    d,  OUTGROWTHS  ON   UPPER   END  OF  GENITAL  SCALES, 
GREATLY   ENLARGED. 


164 


BULLETIN    75,   UNITED   STATES    NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 


noticeable.  Moreover  they  are  so  fragile  they  might  easily  be  broken 
off  by  rough  handling,  so  that  their  absence  would  not  prove  that 
a  given  specimen  did  not  belong  to  this  species.  The  interbrachial 
scaling,  arm  plates  and  spines,  oral  shields  and  adoral  plates  are, 
however,  reliable  specific  characters. 

AMPHIODIA  STRONGYLOPLAX,  new  species.o 

Disk  5J  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  50  mm.  long.  Disk  deeply 
notched  in  interradii,  covered  by  a  coat  of  numerous  irregular 
plates,  without  definite  arrangement.  Radial  shields  somewhat 
curved,  long  and  narrow,  rather  broadly  in  contact  distally,  but 
well  separated  within.  Upper  arm  plates  more  or  less  rounded, 
little  wider  than  long,  scarcely  in  contact  even  at  base  of  arm,  though 
the  side  arm  plates  hardly  meet  between  them.  Interbrachial  spaces 
below,  practically  naked,  though  there  are  numerous  white  granules 
of  lime  scattered  about  on  the  surface.  Genital  slits  very  large. 
Oral  shields  large,  pointed  within,  rounded  laterally,  truncate  dis- 


FIG.  71.— AMPHIODIA  STRONG YLOPL AX.    x  9.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE 

JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

tally,  about  as  long  as  wide.  Adoral  plates  large,  scarcely  meeting 
within,  much  wider  at  their  outer  ends.  Oral  papillae  three,  some- 
times four,  on  a  side.  One  at  apex  of  jaw  is  thick  and  rounded;  the 
second  is  small  and  pointed;  the  third  is  large  and  bluntly  pointed; 
the  fourth,  if  present,  is  very  small.  The  scale  of  first  oral  tentacle 
pore  is  visible  between  the  first  and  second  papillae.  First  under 
arm  plate  very  small,  narrower  distally  than  within;  succeeding 
plates  tetragonal,  with  rounded  corners,  longer  than  wide,  broadly 
in  contact.  Side  arm  plates  moderate,  each  with  five  arm  spines, 
of  which  the  lowest  is  the  longest  and  exceeds  the  joint.  Tentacle 
pores  large,  each  with  a  single,  minute  scale.  Color  (dried  from 
alcohol),  disk  grayish,  arms  very  light  brownish;  radial  shields  and 
arm  plates  with  an  orange-brown  tint. 

a  2-cporrbXof,  signifying  round,  and  7rAd£,  signifying  plate,  in  reference  to  the  rounded 
upper  arm  plates. 


NORTH    PACIFIC '  OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK.       165 


Locality. —Albatross  station  2866,  off  Washington,  lat.  48°  9r  N.; 
long.  125°  3'  W.,  171  fathoms,  gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  43.2°, 
8  specimens. 

Type— Cut.  No.  25615,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  2866. 

This  species  bears  a  curious  superficial  resemblance  to  A.  macras- 
pis,  but  the  bare  interbrachial  spaces,  the  upper  arm  plates,  and  the 
oral  shields  are  quite  unlike  those  of  that  species.  As  only  one  of 
the  eight  specimens  possesses  a  disk,  it  is  impossible  to  estimate  the 
value  of  the  bare  interbrachial  spaces;  they  may  prove  to  be  very 
variable. 

AMPHIODIA  PSILOCHORA,  new  species.o 

Disk  8  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  65  mm.  long.  Disk  more  or 
less  deeply  indented  in  interbrachial  areas,  covered  by  a  close  coat 
of  scales,  the  largest  of  which  are  near  the  center  of  disk  and  close 
to  the  radial  shields,  while  the  smallest  are  at  the  interradial  mar- 


FIG.  72.—  AMPHIODIA  PSILOCHORA.    X  0.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  b,  FROM  RELOW;  c  ,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE  ARM 

JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

gins.  Radial  shields  long  and  curved,  separate  or  barely  touching 
distally.  Upper  arm  plates  at  first  somewhat  hexagonal,  with  the 
proximal  side  shortest,  but  soon  the  angles  are  rounded  off  and  they 
become  biconvex,  much  wider  than  long  and  scarcely  or  not  at  all 
in  contact.  Interbrachial  spaces  below  bare.  Oral  shields  some- 
what variable,  wider  than  long,  with  a  broad  proximal  angle  and  a 
rounded  (or  sometimes  truncate)  outer  margin.  Adoral  plates  vari- 
able, nearly  triangular,  sometimes  meeting  within,  but  often  well 
separated.  Oral  papillae  three  on  a  side,  the  first  one  (at  apex  of 
jaw)  thick  and  rounded;  the  second  small,  flat,  and  pointed;  the 
third  larger,  often  longer,  and  sometimes  attenuate  pointed.  The 
tentacle  scale  of  first  oral  pore  is  often  visible  between  the  first  and 


,  signifying  bare,  and  ^w/oof,  signifying  a  space,  in  reference  to  the  naked 
interbrachial  spaces. 


166  BULLETIN    75,   UNITED   STATES    NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

second  papillae.  Genital  slits  moderate.  First  under  arm  plate, 
minute;  succeeding  plates  tetragonal,  with  rounded  angles,  longer 
than  wide,  broadly  in  contact.  Side  arm  plates  fairly  large,  barely 
meeting  above,  but  scarcely  below.  Each  plate  carries  five  slender, 
sharp  spines,  of  which  the  lowest  is  a  little  the  longest  and  slightly 
exceeds  the  joint.  Tentacle  pores  large,  each  with  a  single,  small 
tentacle  scale.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  disk,  gray;  interbrachial 
spaces  below  light  brown  to  nearly  black;  arms  dull  grayish  to 
nearly  white;  radial  shields  sometimes  (in  large  specimens)  with  a 
reddish  tinge. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  3739,  off  Ose  Zaki,  Honshu  Island, 
Japan,  55  to  65  fathoms,  volcanic  sand,  shells,  rocks,  4  specimens; 
station  4972,  off  eastern  Japan,  lat.  33°  25'  45"  N.;  long.  135°  33'  E., 
440  fathoms,  brown-green  mud,  foraminifera,  bottom  temperature 
39.8°,  1  specimen;  station  5085,  Sagami  Bay,  lat.  35°  6'  45"  N.; 
long.  139°  19'  45"  E.,  622  fathoms,  green  mud,  fine  black  sand, 
bottom  temperature  37.8°,  4  specimens;  station  5086,  Sagami  Bay, 
lat.  35°  8'  15"  N.;  long.  139°  20'  E.,  292  fathoms,  green  mud,  coarse 
black  sand,  bottom  temperature  43.7°,  1  specimen;  station  5088, 
Sagami  Bay,  lat.  35°  11'  25"  N.;  long.  139°  28'  20"  E.,  369  to  405 
fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  41.8°,  1  specimen.  Bathy- 
metrical  range,  55  to  622  fathoms.  Temperature  range,  43.7°  to 
37.8°.  Eleven  specimens. 

Type.—C&t.  No.  25544,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  5085. 

This  species  is  not  likely  to  be  mistaken  for  any  other  species  of 
Amphiodia,  and  the  mouth  parts  alone  will  distinguish  it  from  any 
Amphiura  having  the  interbrachial  spaces  below  naked.  The  speci- 
mens before  me  range  in  disk  diameter  from  4  to  10  mm.  and  show 
comparatively  little  diversity. 

AMPHIPHOLIS  PUGETANA. 

Amphiura  pugetana  LYMAN,  Proc.  Boston  Soc.  Nat.  Hist.,  vol.  7,  1868,  p.  193. 
Amphipholis  pugetana  VERRILL,  Trans.  Conn.  Acad.,  vol.  10,  1899,  p.  312. 

Localities. —Albatross  station  2850,  off  Alaska,  lat.  54°  52'  N.; 
long.  159°  46'  W.,  21  fathoms,  broken  shells,  bottom  temperature 
48.2°,  5  specimens;  station  2856,  off  Alaska,  lat.  58°  7'  N.;  long. 
151°  36'  W.,  68  fathoms,  gray  sand,  black  specks,  bottom  tempera- 
ture 44°,  1  specimen;  station  2876,  off  Washington,  lat.  48°  33'  N.; 
long.  124°  53'  W.,  59  fathoms,  black  sand,  mud,  bottom  tempera- 
ture 45.5°,  3  specimens;  station  3052,  off  Oregon,  lat.  44°  N. ;  long. 
124°  57'  W.,  48  fathoms,  coral,  broken  shells,  rocky,  bottom  tem- 
perature 49°,  1  specimen;  station  3466,  off  Washington,  lat.  48°  18' 
30"  N.;  long.  123°  22'  W.,  56  fathoms,  gray  sand,  shells,  rocky, 
bottom  temperature  48.5°,  1  specimen;  station  4230,  off  Indian 
Point,  Alaska,  10S  to  240  fathoms,  rocky,  bottom  temperature  42.4°, 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK.        167 

2  specimens;  Puget  Sound,  1  specimen;  Monterey,  California,  8  to  12 
fathoms,  4  specimens.  Bathy metrical  range,  8  to  240  fathoms. 
Temperature  range,  49°  to  44°.  Eighteen  specimens. 

As  no  figures  of  this  species  have  been  published,  it  has  been 
thought  desirable  to  give  the  accompanying  illustrations.  The  char- 
acteristic mouth  parts  easily  distinguish  this  species  from  afty-of 
the  others  taken  by  the  Fisheries  steamer  Albatross.  In  fact,  it  is 
the  only  representative  of  its  genus  in  the  collection. 

AMPHIOPLUS  RHADINOBRACHIUS,  new  species.a 

Disk  6  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  100  mm.  long.  Disk  covered 
by  a  coat  of  several  hundred  scales,  of  nearly  uniform  size.  Radial 
shields  long  and  very  slender,  in  contact  distally  but  separated  within. 
Upper  arm  plates  much  wider  than  long,  strongly  convex  distally ;  at 
base  of  arm  angular  proximally,  and  slightly  in  contact,  but  farther 
out  broadly  convex  proximally,  and  separated  from  each  other. 
Interbrachial  spaces  below  covered  with  much  smaller  scales  than 


FIG.  73.—  AMPHIPHOLIS  PUGETANA.    X  12.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;    ft,  FROM  BELOW;    c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE 

ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

those  of  the  disk.  Genital  slits  large.  Oral  shields  oval,  longer  than 
broad.  Adoral  plates  large,  narrow  within  where  they  nearly  or  quite 
meet,  very  much  broader  at  outer  ends.  Oral  papillae  four  on  a  side, 
one  thick  and  rounded  at  apex  of  jaw,  the  second  and  third  nearly  as 
large,  but  flat  and  rounded  or  pointed  at  tip,  the  fourth  somewhat 
smaller;  the  tentacle  scale  of  the  first  oral  pore  shows  between  the 
first  and  second  papillae  and  may  be  mistaken  for  another  papilla. 
First  under  arm  plate  minute,  pentagonal,  about  as  long  as  broad; 
succeeding  plates  pentagonal  or  hexagonal,  broader  than  long,  be- 
coming longer  than  broad,  distinctly  in  contact,  at  least  on  base  of 
arm.  Side  arm  plates  small,  meeting  above  except  at  base  of  arm,  not 
meeting  below;  each  plate  carries  three  sharp,  slender  spines,  sub- 
equal,  or  the  middle  one  longest.  Tentacle  scales,  two.  Color  (dried 
from  alcohol),  light  gray  or  whitish. 


,  signifying  slender,  and  /fywz^/wv,  signifying  arm,  in  reference  to  the  very 
slender  arms. 


168  BULLETIN   75,   UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

Localities.— Albatross  station  5053,  Suruga  Gulf,  lat.  34°  49'  20" 
N.;  long.  138°  40'  15"  E.,  503  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  tempera- 
ture 34.9°,  1  specimen;  station  5054,  Suruga  Gulf,  lat.  34°  52'  45" 
N.;  long.  138°  42'  20"  E.,  282  fathoms,  green  mud,  broken  shells, 
foraminifera,  bottom  temperature  45.3°,  2  specimens,  without  disks; 
station  5088,  Sagami  Bay,  lat.  35°  11'  25"  N.;  long.  139°  28'  20"  E., 
369  to  405  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  41.8°,  1  speci- 
men. Bathymetrical  range,  282  to  503  fathoms.  Temperature 
range,  45.3°  to  34.9°.  Four  specimens. 

Type. — Cat.  No.  25587,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  5053. 

The  extremely  slender  arms  and  the  characteristic  mouth  parts, 
taken  in  connection  with  the  radial  shields,  three  arm  spines  and  two 
tentacle  scales,  make  this  an  easy  species  to  recognize.  As  the  disks 
are  wanting  in  the  specimens  from  station  5054,  it  is,  of  course,  possi- 
ble that  their  identification  as  rhadinobrachius  is  incorrect. 


FIG.  74.— AMPHIOPLUS  RHADINOBRACHIUS.    X  8.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;    6,  FROM  BELOW;    c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF 

THREE  ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

AMPHIOPLUS  ACANTHINUS,  new  species." 

Disk  14  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  140  mm.  long.  Disk  some- 
what decagonal  (the  decagon  with  somewhat  convex  sides),  lightly 
notched  radially,  and  deeply  so  interradially ;  covered  with  a  close 
coat  of  very  numerous  scales,  some  of  which  bear  slender  acute  spines 
one-half  millimeter  long;  these  spines  are  set  into  little  pits,  so  that 
when  they  are  rubbed  off  their  former  position  is  clearly  indicated. 
Radial  shields  small,  divergent,  but  in  contact  distally.  Upper  arm 
plates  tetragonal  or  pentagonal  with  more  or  less  rounded  corners, 
twice  as  wide  as  long  or  more,  broadly  in  contact  basally  but  barely 
touching  on  terminal  part  of  arm.  Interbrachial  spaces  below  covered 
by  much  finer  scales  than  the  disk,  and  without  spines.  Oral  shields, 
oval  or  elliptical,  much  longer  than  wide.  Adoral  plates  large  and 
triangular,  hardly  meeting  within.  Oral  papillae  four  or  five  on  a  side, 
the  one  near  apex  of  jaw  largest.  Genital  slits  very  large;  genital  scales 
inconspicuous  orally,  but  often  noticeable  from  above  just  distal  to 
the  radial  shields,  and  frequently  bearing  there  a  little  outgrowth  simi- 

,  signifying  thorny,  in  reference  to  the  numerous  disk  spines. 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK.       169 

lar  to  that  so  characteristic  of  Amphiodia  digitula.  First  under  arm 
plate  minute,  squarish;  succeeding  plates  somewhat  hexagonal  or 
pentagonal,  about  as  wide  as  long,  more  or  less  in  contact  on  basal 
part  of  arm;  on  many  of  them  there  is  a  minute  tooth  or  sharp  pro- 
jection at  the  center  of  the  distal  margin.  Side  arm  plates  small,  each 
with  only  three  sharp,  subequal  spines,  about  as  long  as  the  joint-or-a 
little  longer.  Tentacle  scales,  two.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  nearly 
white,  or  light  grayish-brown;  upper  and  under  arm  plates  some- 
times rather  heavily  shaded  with  dull  brownish-red. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  3695,  off  Tsuragi  Saki  Light,  Honshu 
Island,  Japan,  110  to  259  fathoms,  green  mud,  fine  sand,  30  speci- 


FIG.  75.— AMPHIOPLUS  ACANTHINUS.    x  4.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;    6,  FROM  BELOW;    c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE 

ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK;   d,  REGENERATED  DISK  AND  THREE  REGENERATED  ARMS. 

mens;  station  5073,  Suruga  Gulf,  lat.  34°  46'  N.;  long.  138°  21'  50" 
E.,  148  fathoms,  gray  mud,  bottom  temperature  54.6°,  2  specimens. 

Type.— Cat,.  No.  25595,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  3695. 

This  is  an  unusually  well-characterized  species  and  yet  its  generic 
position  is  somewhat  in  doubt.  As  an  Amphioplus  it  ought  not  to 
have  spines  on  the  disk,  while,  on  the  other  hand,  it  will  not  go  into 
Verrill's  genus  Amphilimna,  where  spiny-disked  species  of  Amphio- 
plus ought  to  go,  for  it  does  not  have  "six  to  ten"  arm  spines,  nor  are 
the  tentacle  scales  "  spiniform,"  nor  are  the  radial  shields  "parallel, 


170  BULLETIN   75,   UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL    MUSEUM. 

largely  in  contact."  One  of  the  specimens  from  station  3695  affords 
such  a  remarkably  fine  illustration  of  arm  and  disk  regeneration  after 
breaking  and  shedding,  that  it  has  seemed  wise  to  show  it  (fig.  75d). 
The  limits  of  the  original  disk  are  plainly  shown  on  the  bases  of  the 
four  large  arms,  while  the  fifth  arm  is  regenerating  from  a  single  basal 
joint  The  disk  scales  are  surprisingly  small,  and  the  radial  shields 
are  very  inconspicuous.  The  disk  spines  are  represented  by  minute 
knobs.  Two  of  the  four  large  arms  are  regenerating  from  basal 
stumps. 

AMPHIOPLUS  HEXACANTHUS,  new  species." 

Disk  lacking.  Upper  arm  plates  broadly  hexagonal,  with  rounded 
corners,  twice  as  wide  as  long.  Arm  spines  six,  about  equal  to  joint; 
middle  ones  shortest  and  one  or  more  terminated  by  a  minute, 
glassy  crossbar.  Oral  shields  oval,  longer  than  wide.  Adoral  plates 
large,  meeting  broadly  within.  Oral  papillae,  four  on  a  side,  sub- 
equal  or  apical  one  largest.  Under  arm  plates  squarish  or  slightly 
pentagonal,  rather  wider  than  long.  Tentacle  scales,  two. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  3165,  off  California,  lat.  37°  59'  45" 
N.;  long.  123°  8'  35"  W.,  50  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  tempera- 
ture 49°,  6  specimens;  station  5094,  Uraga  Strait,  lat.  35°  4'  42"  N.; 
long.  139°  38'  20"  E.,  88  fathoms,  black  sand,  broken  shells,  bottom 
temperature  54.8°,  several  arms. 

Type.—C&t.  No.  25583,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  3165. 

The  absence  of  any  disks  makes  it  impossible  to  describe  this  form 
with  sufficient  detail  to  be  satisfactory,  but  at  the  same  time,  since  I 
do  not  know  of  any  species  to  which  these  mutilated  individuals  can 
be  assigned,  it  is  only  fair  that  they  should  be  named,  and  such 
distinctive  features  as  they  have,  be  described.  It  is  possible  that 
they  belong  in  AmpJiilimna  rather  than  in  Amphioplus. 

AMPHIOPLUS  MEGAPOMUS,  new  species.6 

Disk  lacking.  Upper  arm  plates  tetragonal,  two  or  three  times  as 
wide  as  long,  with  distal  side  much  longer  than  proximal  and  lateral 
corners  rounded,  broadly  in  contact.  Arm  spines  three,  longer  than 
joint,  middle  one  longer  and  thicker  at  base  than  the  others.  Oral 
shields  diamond-shaped,  with  rounded  corners  and  somewhat  con- 
cave sides,  much  longer  than  wide.  Adoral  plates  moderate,  almost 
triangular.  Oral  papillas  four  on  a  side,  the  apical  ones  small  and 
widely  separated  from  each  other,  the  other  three  large,  and  nearly 
closing  the  mouth  slit.  Under  arm  plates  broadly  pentagonal,  much 

a"E£,  signifying  six,  and  aKavOa,  signifying  spine,  in  reference  to  the  number  of 
arm  spines. 

bMej-ae,  signifying  big,  and  xaJjia,  signifying  lid,  in  reference  to  the  large  lid-like 
tentacle  scales. 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK.        171 

wider  than  long,  barely  in  contact.  Tentacle  scales  two,  unusually 
large  and  flat,  nearly  closing  the  large  pores. 

Locality. — Albatross  station  4964,  off  eastern  Japan,  lat.  34°  5'  30" 
N.;  long.  134°  56'  40"  E.,  37  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  mud,  bottom 
temperature  66.6°,  2  individuals  without  disks. 

Type.— Cut.  No.  25633,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4964. 

It  is  too  bad  that  this  very  well  marked  species  should  be  repre- 
sented in  the  collection  only  by  two  diskless  specimens,  for  I  know  of 
no  other  species  in  which  typical  AmpTiioplus  mouth  parts  are  com- 
bined with  such  remarkable  tentacle  scales  and  arm  plates.  It 
would  be  most  interesting  to  know  the  disk  structure. 

AMPHILEPIS  PLATYTATA,  new  species." 

Disk  8  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  32  mm.  in  length.  Disk 
excessively  flat,  covered  with  a  smooth  coat  of  about  two  hundred 


FIG.  76.— AMPHILEPIS  PLATYTATA.    X  C.    a,  FROM   ABOVE;    6,  FROM   BELOW;    c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE 

ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

large,  thin,  rounded  scales.  Radial  shields,  more  than  twice  as  long 
as  broad,  well  separated  within,  but  just  barely  in  contact  distally. 
Upper  arm  plates  broadly  pentagonal,  with  somewhat  rounded  angles 
and  a  convex  distal  margin,  twice  as  wide  as  long,  not  in  contact 
except  at  very  base  of  arm.  Interbrachial  spaces  below,  quite  naked 
except  for  a  few  marginal  scales.  Oral  shields  triangular,  with 
slightly  convex  sides,  a  little  wider  than  long.  Adoral  plates  large, 
wider  without  than  within.  Oral  plates  large,  each  carrying  two 
low,  wide,  truncate  papillae.  Teeth  nearly  triangular.  Genital  slits 
very  inconspicuous.  First  under  arm  plate  large,  somewhat  pentag- 
onal, with  inner  lateral  margins  concave;  succeeding  plates  also 

,  signifying  fattest,  in  reference  to  the  exceedingly  flat  disk. 


172  BULLETIN    75,   UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

pentagonal,  but  larger,  and  distinctly  broader  than  long;  they  are 
barely  in  contact  at  first  (first  and  second  quite  separate)  but  farther 
out  become  separated.  Side  arm  plates  rather  large,  meeting  more  or 
less  completely  above  and  below,  except  at  very  base  of  arm;  each 
plate  carries  three  slender,  acute,  subequal  spines,  longer  than  a 
joint.  Tentacle  scales,  none,  though  pores  are  rather  large.  Color 
(dried  from  alcohol),  disk  light  gray,  arms  nearly  white. 

Localities.— Albatross  station  2859,  off  Alaska,  lat.  55°  20'  N.; 
long.  136°  20'  W.,  1,569  fathoms,  gray  ooze,  bottom  temperature 
34.9°,  12  specimens;  station  4761,  south  of  Shumagin  Islands,  lat. 
53°  57'  30"  N.;  long.  159°  31'  W.,  1,973  fathoms,  blue  clay,  bottom 
temperature  35°,  1  specimen. 

Type.—Csit.  No.  25734,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  2859. 

Although  this  species  resembles  A.  papyracea  Lyman  quite  closely 
in  many  particulars,  the  much  coarser  disk  scales  and  the  naked  inter- 
brachial  spaces  serve  to  distinguish  it  easily.  The  specimens  vary 
little  in  size  or  details  of  structure. 


FIG.  77.—  AMPHIUMNA  PENTACANTHA.    x  5.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE 

ARM   JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

AMPHILIMNA  PENTACANTHA,  new  species.a 

Disk  9  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  70  mm.  long.  Disk  more  or 
less  swollen,  covered  by  a  coat  of  hundreds  of  small  scales,  many  of 
which  carry  minute  sharp  spines.  Radial  shields  long,  narrow,  more 
or  less  joined,  somewhat  sunken.  Upper  arm  plates  at  first  somewhat 
tetragonal,  with  a  long  convex  side  distally,  and  angular  proximally, 
soon  becoming  almost  perfectly  elliptical,  much  wider  than  long,  and 
then  gradually  becoming  proximally  angular  again;  more  or  less 
lightly  in  contact,  at  least  basally.  Interbrachial  spaces  below  some- 
what sparsely  scaled,  especially  near  oral  shield,  but  with  numerous 
spinelets.  Oral  shields  nearly  circular  or  else  a  little  longer  than 
broad.  Adoral  plates  nearly  horizontal  and  triangular,  meeting 
broadly  within.  Oral  papillae  four  on  a  side,  the  apical  one  thick  and 
rounded,  the  next  two  elongate  and  pointed,  the  fourth  very  small 


signifying  five,    and    SxavOa,  signifying    spine,   in  reference   to  the  five 
arm  spines. 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK.       173 

and  rounded ;  just  back  of  the  apical  papilla  is  the  small  pointed  scale 
of  the  first  oral  tentacle  pore,  which  might  very  naturally  be  counted 
as  a  fifth  oral  papilla.  Genital  slits  very  large.  First  under  arm 
plate  very  small,  rounded ;  succeeding  plates  squarish  or  a  little  longer 
than  wide,  in  contact  at  least  on  basal  part  of  arm.  Side  arm  plates 
moderate,  meeting  above  and  below  very  little  or  not  at  all;  each -one 
carries  five  slender,  sharp  spines,  of  which  the  lowest  is  longest  and 
exceeds  the  joint.  Tentacle  scales  two,  not  at  all  spiniform.  Color 
(dried  from  alcohol),  very  light  brownish,  the  disk  more  or  less  gray. 

Locality.— Albatross  station  3131,  off  California,  lat.  36°  41 '  30"  N.; 
long.  121°  54'  10"  W.,  48  fathoms,  brown  mud,  rocks,  bottom  tem- 
perature 50.8°,  40  specimens. 

Type.— Cat.  No.  25614,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  3131.    . 

This  species  appears,  from  its  mouth  parts,  radial  shields,  and 
spiny  disk  to  be  entitled  to  a  place  in  Amphilimna,  but  the  small 
number  of  arm  spines  and  the  flat,  rounded  tentacle  scales  have  made 
me  hesitate  to  place  it  there.  The  specimens  show  little  diversity  in 
size  or  color.  The  characteristic  disk  covering  of  Ophiocnida  com- 
bines with  the  five  arm  spines,  the  nearly  circular  oral  shields,  and 
the  mouth  parts  of  an  Amphioplus  to  make  this  an  easy  species  to 
recognize. 

OPHIONEREIS  EURYBRACHIPLAX,  new  species." 

Disk  24  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  160  mm.  long,  probably. 
Disk  covered  with  a  firm  coat  of  minute,  overlapping  scales,  which  are 
coarsest  near  the  radial  shields;  there  are  about  fifteen  scales  to  the 
square  millimeter  at  center  of  disk.  Radial  shields  very  small  and 
widely  separated,  rather  more  than  twice  as  long  as  wide.  Upper 
arm  plates  hexagonal,  very  wide,  twice  as  wide  as  long  or  more, 
broadly  in  contact ;  supplementary  pieces  small,  longer  than  wide,  either 
triangular  with  outer  side  very  convex  or  tetragonal  with  outer  distal 
corner  obliterated.  Interbrachial  spaces  below  covered  with  a  coat 
of  very  fine  scales.  Oral  shield  triangular,  longer  than  broad  (in  the 
Japanese  specimen,  fig.  786,  the  breadth  exceeds  the  length).  Adoral 
plates  small,  at  sides  of  oral  shields,  wide  distally  but  pointed  at  inner 
end.  Oral  papillae  four  or  five  on  a  side,  truncate  or  blunt,  the  next 
to  the  outermost  the  widest.  Genital  slits  small.  First  under  arm 
plate  squarish;  succeeding  plates  tetragonal,  with  slightly  curved 
sides  and  rounded  angles,  at  first  wider  than  long,  but  becoming 
sooner  or  later  longer  than  wide,  broadly  in  contact.  Side  arm  plates 
small,  not  nearly  meeting  either  above  or  below;  each  plate  carries  at 
first  four,  then  three,  stout  blunt  arm  spines,  rather  exceeding  the 
joint;  basally  the  lowest  is  the  longest  but  farther  out  the  middle  one 

a  Eupbf,  signifying  wide,  and  (3pa%lajv,  signifying  arm,  and  n&a£,  signifying  plate,  in 
reference  to  the  characteristic  upper  arm  plates. 


174 


BULLETIN    75,    UNITED   STATES    NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 


is  longer  and  somewhat  stouter  than  the  others.  Tentacle  scale 
single,  huge,  circular  or  oval.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  disk  light 
brownish-gray,  or  dull  purplish  with  a  few  small  light  spots;  arms 
somewhat  duller,  irregularly  and  indistinctly  banded  with  dull  purple, 
especially  on  distal  half;  upper  arm  plates  dull  gray,  often  clouded 
with  purplish,  or  else  prettily  mottled  with  dull  purple  and  whitish; 
oral  surface  lighter. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  3159,  off  California,  lat.  37°  47'  20 " 
N.;  long.  123°  10'  W.,  27  fathoms,  rocky,  1  specimen;  station  3168, 
off  California,  lat.  38°  1'  25"  N.;  long.  123°  26'  55"  W.,  34  fathoms, 


FIG.  78.— OPHIONEREIS  EURYBRACHIPLAX.    a-c,  FROM  JAPAN,  X  3.    d~f,  FROM  CALIFORNIA,  X  2.    a  AND  d, 
FROM  ABOVE;  b  AND  e,  FROM  BELOW;  c  AND  /,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE  ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

rocky,  coral,  1  specimen;  station  3702;  off  Honshu  Island,  Japan,  31 
to  41  fathoms,  volcanic  mud,  sand,  rocks,  3  specimens;  off  California, 
station  ?,  1  specimen. 

Type.—Csit.  No.  25589,  U.S.N.M.,  from  off  California. 

This  species  may  be  distinguished  at  once  from  its  Pacific  relatives, 
annulata,  porrecta,  schayeri,  and  nuda,  by  the  very  characteristic  upper 
arm  plates,  which  are  quite  unlike  those  of  any  of  the  four.  It  is  a 
great  pity  that  there  should  be  any  doubt  about  the  locality  of  any  of 


NORTH   PACIFIC    OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK.       175 

the  specimens,  but  I  can  not  suppress  the  feeling  that  there  is  some 
mistake  about  the  label  "3702."  If  that  were  read  "3102,"  a  station 
in  27  fathoms,  off  central  California,  the  distribution  of  the  species 
would  be  quite  natural.  In  view  of  the  absence  of  Ophionereis,  a 
tropical  and  subtropical,  littoral  genus,  north  of  California,  it  is  hard 
for  me  to  believe  that  a  Californian  species  occurs  in  Japan.  I~srrall 
therefore  assume  that  3702  is  a  mistake  for  3102,  at  least  until  further 
specimens  are  taken  in  Japanese  waters. 

OPHIOCRASIS,  new  genus." 

Similar  to  Ophionereis,  but  with  one  or  more  secondary  supple- 
mental plates,  just  distal  to  the  usual  supplementary  plates.  Arms  six 
in  young,  five  in  adults.  Reproduction  by  fission  apparently  occurs. 

Type-species — OpJiiocrasis  dictydisca. 

The  presence  of  secondary  supplemental  plates  is  somewhat  exag- 
gerated in  the  drawings  given  herewith  (figs.  79a,  79d  79</),  for  it  is 
almost  impossible  to  represent  them  accurately,  they  are  so  small  and 
delicate.  In  Ophionereis  the  upper  arm  plates  and  their  supple- 
mentary plates,  even  in  young  and  small  specimens,  are  thick  and 
when  dry  are  clear  cut,  with  well-defined  smooth  margins.  In 
Ophiocrasis,  however,  when  the  arm  is  dried,  it  is  seen  that  the  upper 
arm  plates  are  thin,  with  a  fairly  well-defined  distal  margin ;  the  sup- 
plementary plates  have  the  margin  very  poorly  defined  and  close  to 
them  distally  some  additional  minute  plates  are  to  be  seen;  of  these 
the  one  adjoining  the  upper  arm  plate  is  the  most  sharply  defined; 
the  others  are  usually  very  hard  to  distinguish,  and  may  be  absent; 
these  secondary  plates  can  only  be  seen  when  the  arm  is  dry  and  are 
best  shown  near  the  base  of  the  arm.  I  have  found  nothing  like 
them  in  Ophionereis,  though  I  have  examined  old  and  young  speci- 
mens of  four  species  with  great  care.  There  seems  little  room  for 
doubt  that  reproduction  takes  place  early  in  life  by  fission,  as  this  is 
clearly  indicated  by  one  specimen  (see  fig.  79^).  At  the  same  time  I 
am  forced  to  the  conclusion  that  the  six-rayed  condition  is  juvenile 
and  that  the  adult  has  only  five  rays.  But  it  must  be  confessed  that 
a  larger  series  of  specimens  is  needed  to  determine  these  facts  beyond 
question. 

OPHIOCRASIS  DICTYDISCA,  new  species.^ 

Disk  7  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  35  mm.  long.  Disk  covered  by 
a  delicate  coat  of  very  fine  scales,  coarser  in  the  young  and  less  em- 
bedded in  the  skin  than  in  the  adult.  Radial  shields  small,  elongate, 

a  ofaf,  signifying  snake,  and  Kpdate,  signifying  a  compounding,  in  reference  to  the 
compounding  of  the  supplementary  arm  plates,  and  to  be  symphonious  with  other 
ophiuran  genera. 

b  dlnrtjov,  signifying  net,  and  dlanoe,  signifying  disk,  in  reference  to  the  reticulated 
disk. 


176  BULLETIN    75,   UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 


FIG.  79.— OPHIOCRASIS  DICTYDISCA.    a-c,   X  7;    d-g,   X   11.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;    b,  FROM  BELOW;    c,  SIDE 

VIEW  OF  TWO  ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK;  d,  A  YOUNGER  SPECIMEN,  FROM  ABOVE;  C ,  THE  SAME,  FROM  BELOW; 
/.  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE  ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK;  (J,  ANOTHER  YOUNG  SPECIMEN  FROM  ABOVE,  SHOWING 
THE  INEQUALITY  OF  THE  TWO  TRIOS  OF  ARMS. 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM  -  CLARK.       177 

widely  separated,  nearly  three  times  as  long  as  wide.  Upper  arm 
plates  as  long  as  broad  or  nearly  so,  the  distal  margin  very  convex 
while  the  proximal  half  is  three-sided  with  more  or  less,  or  almost 
completely,  obliterated  angles;  supplementary  plates  rather  large 
and,  as  described  above,  provided  with  minute  secondary  plates 
along  their  distal  border.  Inter  brachial  space  below  very  closely 
covered  with  minute  scales.  Oral  shields  rounded  triangular,  or 
arrow-head  shaped,  somewhat  longer  than  wide,  particularly  in  the 
young  (in  fig.  79e  the  shield  is  too  wide).  Adoral  plates,  long  tri- 
angular, hardly  meeting  within.  Jaws  short,  with  four  to  six  oral 
papillae  which  are  rather  long,  flat  and  rounded  in  the  young,  but 
become  thick  and  truncate  in  the  adult.  First  under  arm  plate 
somewhat  pentagonal,  of  moderate  size;  succeeding  plates  oblong 
or  somewhat  pentagonal,  longer  than  wide,  broadly  in  contact. 
Side  arm  plates  small,  each  with  three  thick,  blunt  spines,  of  which 
either  the  middle  or  lowest  is  the  longest,  and  about  equals  the  joint. 
Tentacle  scale  single,  very  large,  elliptical.  Color  (dried  from  alco- 
hol), disk,  yellowish  with  an  irregular  network  of  purplish-brown 
lines;  arms  grayish,  banded  with  dull  purple;  the  relative  amount 
of  yellow  and  purple  on  the  disk  is  variable,  as  is  also  the  number  of 
bands  on  the  arms  and  their  distance  from  each  other. 

Localities.  —  Albatross  station  3758,  off  Suno  Saki,  Honshu  Island, 
Japan,  52  to  73  fathoms,  blue  clay,  rocks,  1  specimen;  station  4875, 
Korea  Strait,  lat.  34°  19'  N.;  long.  130°  9'  E.,  59  fathoms,  fine  gray 
sand,  broken  shells,  bottom  temperature  62.1°,  1  specimen;  station 
4879,  Korea  Strait,  lat.  34°  17'  N.;  long.  130°  15'  E.,  59  fathoms, 
fine  gray  sand,  broken  shells,  bottom  temperature  62.1°,  1  specimen; 
off  Japan,  station  ?,  1  specimen. 

Type.—  Cut.  No.  25715,  U.S.N.M.,  from  off  Japan. 

The  specimens  with  six  arms  range  from  2.5  to  4.5  mm.  in  disk 
diameter.  Specimens  of  Ophionereis  porrecta  of  the  same  size  have 
only  five  arms.  It  is  of  course  possible  that  these  six-armed  speci- 
mens do  not  belong  to  the  same  species  as  the  larger  five-armed  one 
which  I  have  taken  as  the  type  of  dictydisca,  but  their  resemblances 
otherwise  are  so  close  I  am  satisfied  of  their  identity. 

OPHIODORIS  PERICALL^  S,  new  species." 

Disk  11  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  110  mm.  long.  Disk  cov- 
ered by  a  close  smooth  coat  of  fine  scales,  distinctly  larger  along  mar- 
gin, in  interbrachial  areas.  Radial  shields  small,  widely  separated, 
about  twice  as  long  as  wide;  distal  to  them,  and  extending  down- 
ward on  the  genital  scales,  are  a  number  of  minute  spinelets,  the 


,  signifying  very  pretty,  in  reference  to  the  form  and  markings. 
34916°—  Bull.  75—11  -  12 


178  BULLETIN    75,    UNITED   STATES    NATIONAL    MUSEUM. 

presence  of  which  is  one  of  the  characteristic  features  of  the  genus. 
Interbrachial  spaces  below  covered  with  a  coat  of  very  fine  scales, 
which  are  coarsest  near  the  margin.  Oral  shield  longer  than  wide, 
pointed  within,  and  rounded  distally.  Adoral  plates  very  small, 
lying  at  the  sides  of  the  oral  shield.  Oral  papillae,  four  or  five  on  a 
side,  thick,  bluntly  pointed,  the  next  to  the  outermost  largest.  Geni- 
tal slits  inconspicuous.  First  under  arm  plate  rounded;  succeeding 
ones  squarish,  wider  distally  than  proximally,  scarcely  as  long  as 
wide,  in  contact  more  or  less  fully  throughout.  Side  arm  plates 
small,  each  with  three  subequal,  rather  slender  spines,  about  as  long 
as  a  joint.  Tentacle  scales  two  or  three,  one  large  oval  one  on  side 
arm  plate  and  one  or  two  very  small  ones  attached  to  under  arm  plate. 
Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  variegated  greenish-gray  and  white;  the 
markings  of  the  disk  are  often  very  symmetrical,  but  may  be  quite 
irregular;  the  arms  are  more  or  less  distinctly  banded  with  a  darker 


FIG.  80.— OPHIODORIS  PERICALLES.    x  4.    a,  FKOM  ABOVE;  b,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE  ARM 

JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

shade  of  gray.  As  a  rule  the  radial  shields  are  white  and  from  each 
one  a  curved  line  of  white  runs  inward  to  the  center  of  the  disk. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  3740,  off  Ose  Zaki,  Honshu  Island, 
Japan,  65  fathoms,  volcanic  sand,  shells,  pebbles,  1  specimen;  sta- 
tion 4893,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  32'  N.;  long.  128°  32'  50"  E.,  95  to 
106  fathoms,  gray  sand,  broken  shells,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature 
55.9°,  2  specimens;  station  4894,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  33'  N.;  long. 
128°  32'  10"  E.,  95  fathoms,  gray  sand,  broken  shells,  pebbles, 
bottom  temperature  55.9°,  2  specimens;  station  4895  Eastern  Sea, 
lat.  32°  33'  10"  N.;  long.  128°  32'  10"  E.,  95  fathoms,  gray  sand, 
broken  shells,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  55.9°,  4  specimens;  sta- 
tion 4936,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  30°  54'  40"  N.;  long.  130°  37'  30"  E.,  103 
fathoms,  stones,  bottom  temperature  60.6°,  1  specimen.  Bathy- 
metrical  range,  65  to  106  fathoms.  Temperature  range,  60.6°  to 
55.9°.  Ten  specimens. 

Type.—Csit.  No.  25591  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4894. 


NORTH   PACIFIC    OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK.       179 

This  very  handsome  ophiuran  seems  to  be  quite  distinct  from  any 
of  the  three  species  upon  which  Krehler  based  the  genus,  though  it 
is  obviously  congeneric  with  them.  Aside  from  its  pretty  coloration, 
it  may  be  easily  recognized  by  the  very  small  adoral  plates,  the  long, 
pointed  oral  shields,  the  wide  upper  arm  plates  and  the  small,  widely 
separated  radial  shields.  It  seems  to  be  nearest  to  0.  malignus 
Koehler,  but  the  differences  in  the  shape  of  the  disk,  of  the  oral  shields, 
of  the  radial  shields,  and  of  the  upper  arm  plates  are  very  marked. 

Family  OPHIOHELUXE." 

OPHIOMITRA  CARDIOMORPHA,  new  species,  ft 

Disk  14  mm.  in  diameter;  arms' about  90  mm.  long.  Disk  divided 
into  five  wedge-shaped  divisions  by  deep  interradial  sulci;  each  divi- 
sion is  covered  by  a  pair  of  large,  naked,  radial  shields  and  a  number 
of  irregular  plates;  of  these  plates  those  at  center  of  disk  are  the 
smallest,  but  many  of  them  carry  spines  2  mm.  or  more  in  length, 
with  rough  tips;  the  marginal  disk  plates  are  entirely  without  spines 
but  plates  next  to  the  radial  shields  often  carry  spines.  Radial  shields 
very  large,  roughly  triangular,  nearly  twice  as  wide  as  long,  separated 
for  their  entire  length.  Upper  arm  plates  nearly  twice  as  wide  as 
long,  the  distal  margin  slightly  convex  or  straight,  the  proximal 
strongly  convex;  basal  ones  slightly  overlapping,  though  scarcely  in 
contact,  but  on  the  greater  part  of  the  arm  they  are  separated. 
Interbrachial  areas  below  heart-shaped,  covered  with  irregular  smooth 
scales.  Genital  slits  very  conspicuous.  Oral  shield  diamond-shaped, 
about  as  wide  as  long.  Adoral  plates  large,  wider  without  than 
within ;  oral  plates  small  and  indistinct.  Oral  papillae  five  on  a  side, 
with  an  infradental  one  at  apex  of  jaw;  all  but  the  last  and  penulti- 
mate, distinctly  pointed.  First  under  arm  plate  small,  somewhat 
triangular;  succeeding  plates  much  wider  than  long,  with  the  straight 
or  angular  distal  margin  longer  than  the  proximal,  and  lateral  mar- 
gins more  or  less  concave  and  diverging  distally;  except  first  and 
second,  no  two  are  in  contact.  Side  arm  plates  large,  meeting  both 
above  and  below,  though  not  broadly;  each  plate  carries  five  long, 
slender  arm  spines,  the  uppermost  longest  (nearly  equal  to  three 
joints),  sharpest  and  smoothest;  the  lowest  shortest,  bluntest,  and 
roughest.  Tentacle  scale  single,  large,  thick,  and  sharp  pointed. 
Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  very  light  gray,  nearly  white. 

Localities.— Albatross  station  4918,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  30°  22'  N.; 
long.  129°  8'  30"  E.,  361  fathoms,  gray  sand,  globigerina,  broken 
shells,  bottom  temperature  42.7°,  1  specimen;  station  4919,  Eastern 
Sea,  lat.  30°  34'  N.;  long.  129°  19'  30"  E.,  440  fathoms,  globigerina 

«For  remarks  on  this  family,  see  under  Ophiacanthidse  (p.  195). 
b  Kapd'ca,  signifying  heart,  and  floppy,  signifying  form,  in   reference  to  the  heart- 
shaped  interbrachial  spaces,  seen  from  below  (see  fig.  816). 


180 


BULLETIN 


UNITED    STATES    NATJONAL    MUSEUM. 


ooze,  bottom  temperature  41.8°,  4  specimens;  station  4956,  Bungo 
Channel,  Japan,  lat.  32°  32'  N. ;  long.  132°  25'  E.,  720  fathoms,  green- 
brown  mud,  fine  gray  sand,  foraminifera,  bottom  temperature  37.5°, 
1  specimen;  station  4969,  off  Shino  Misaki,  Japan,  lat.  33°  23'  40"  N.; 
long.  135°  33'  E.,  587  fathoms,  brown  mud,  sand,  stones,  bottom 
temperature  38.9°,  1  specimen;  station  5083,  off  Omai  Saki,  Japan, 
lat.  34°  4'  20"  N.;  long.  137°  57'  30"  E.,  624  fathoms, fine  gray  sand, 
globigerina,  bottom  temperature  38.1°,  1  specimen.  Bathymetrical 


FIG.  81.— OPHIOMITRA  CAKDIOMOEPHA. 


X  4.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  HIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO  ARM 

JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 


range,  361  to  720  fathoms.  Temperature  range,  42.7°  to  37.5°.  Eight 
specimens. 

Type.—  Cat.  No.  25650,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4969. 

The  smallest  of  these  specimens  is  rather  less  than  4  mm.  across 
the  disk,  but  the  specific  characters  are  all  well  shown,  except  that 
the  radial  shields  are  distally  in  contact.  There  is  no  species  of 
Ophiomitra  now  known  with  which  this  species  is  likely  to  be  confused. 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK.       181 

OPHIOMITRA  DISCYCLA,  new  species,  a 

Disk  5.5  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  32  mm.  long.  Disk  circular, 
covered  by  numerous  (125  to  175)  plates  of  irregular  size,  one  on  each 
interradial  margin  being  decidedly  larger  than  the  rest.  Radial 
shields  short  and  wide,  closely  joined  except  at  their  proximal  and. 
Upper  arm  plates  small,  diamond-shaped  or  triangular  with  convex 
distal  margin,  about  as  wide  as  long,  widely  separated  from  each 
other.  Interbrachial  spaces  below  covered  by  very  few,  rather  large 
plates.  Genital  slits  short.  Oral  shields  diamond-shaped,  much 


FIG.  82.—  OPHIOMITRA  DISCYCLA.    x  9. 


a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  FROM  BELOW;  c, 

JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 


SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO  ARM 


wider  than  long.  Adoral  plates  very  large,  about  'as  broad  without 
as  within  where  they  meet;  oral  plates  small  and  indistinct.  Oral 
papillae  three  on  a  side  and  one  at  apex  of  jaw;  outermost,  broad, 
flat  and  truncate,  apical  one,  broad  but  sharp,  others,  narrow  and 
pointed.  First  under  arm  plate  large,  somewhat  hexagonal,  wider 
within  than  distally;  succeeding  plates  very  much  wider  than  long, 

«  J/C,  signifying  double,  and  /cy/cAof,  signifying  ring,  in  reference  to  the  two  nearly 
complete  rings,  formed  by  the  arm  spines  of  the  two  basal  joints. 


182  BULLETIN   75,   UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

somewhat  pentagonal,  with  a  proximal  angle  and  a  straight  distal 
margin.  Side  arm  plates  very  large,  meeting  broadly  both  above  and 
below;  each  plate  carries  four  slender,  pointed  spines,  but  on  the  first 
joint  beyond  the  disk,  each  side  arm  plate  carries  eight  and  on  the 
second  joint  seven  such  spines;  these  sixteen  and  fourteen  spines, 
respectively,  nearly  encircle  the  arm,  except  on  the  lower  side;  the 
uppermost  spine  is  the  longest  and  smoothest  and  may  equal  two 
joints;  the  lowest  is  shortest  and  roughest  and  is  only  about  half  as 
long  as  a  joint,  except  on  the  first  two  or  three.  Tentacle  scale  single, 
oval,  rather  small.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  very  light  gray,  nearly 
white. 

Localities.— Albatross  station  4908,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  31°  40'  N.; 
long.  129°  29'  40"  E.,  434  fathoms,  gray  globigerina  ooze,  bottom 
temperature  42.9°,  1  specimen;  station  4957,  Bungo  Channel,  Japan, 
lat.  32°  36'  N.;  long.  132°  23'  E.,  437  fathoms,  green-brown  mud, 
fine  gray  sand,  foraminifera,  bottom  temperature,  39.8°,  2  specimens. 

Type. — Cat.  No.  25637,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4908. 

The  short,  closely  joined  radial  shields,  the  small  widely  separated 
upper  arm  plates,  the  encircling  rows  of  arm  spines  at  base  of  arms 
and  the  huge  adoral  plates  combine  to  give  this  species  an  unique 
appearance.  It  can  hardly  be  confused  with  any  other  species,  except 
possibly  the  following. 

OPHIOMITRA  HABROTATA,  new  species.o 

Disk  3J  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  very  slender,  about  28  mm.  long. 
Disk  nearly  circular,  covered  by  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  rather 
irregular,  coarse  scales,  many  of  which  bear  each  a  single  small,  blunt 
spinelet,  while  a  few  at  the  center  of  the  disk  carry  each  a  long,  sharp 
spine.  Radial  shields  very  large,  somewhat  triangular,  nearly  twice 
as  wide  as  long,  in  contact  only  at  distal  end,  where  one  of  the  pair 
may  carry  a  long,  sharp  spine.  Upper  arm  plates  somewhat  trian- 
gular, wider  than  long,  with  a  convex  distal  margin,  smooth  and 
shining,  slightly  swollen,  and  widely  separated  from  each  other.  Be- 
tween the  upper  arm  plates,  the  arms  are  much  constricted,  so  that 
they  have  a  beaded  appearance.  Interbrachial  spaces  below,  wide, 
covered  by  numerous  rather  coarse  scales.  Genital  slits  very  small  and 
inconspicuous.  Oral  shield  very  small,  somewhat  triangular,  longer 
than  broad.  Adoral  plates  relatively  huge,  much  wider  without  than 
within,  where  they  meet;  oral  plates  very  small.  Oral  papilla  three 
or  four  on  a  side  and  one  at  apex  of  jaw;  outermost  very  wide  with  a 
straight  margin,  the  others  narrow  and  pointed.  First  under  arm 
plate  hexagonal,  longer  than  wide;  succeeding  plates  about  as  long  as 
wide  or  longer,  pentagonal  or  squarish,  widely  separated  from  each 

a  *Aftpoe,  signifying  delicate,  dainty,  in  reference  to  its  light  and  delicate  structure. 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK.       183 

other.  Side  arm  plates  very  large,  meeting  broadly  both  above  and 
below;  each  plate  carries  five  straight,  slender,  sharp,  smooth  spines, 
the  uppermost  longest  and  considerably  exceeding  the  joint;  on  the 
first  two  joints  outside  the  disk  there  are  eight  or  nine  spines,  which 
meet  the  corresponding  series  of  the  same  joint  on  the  upper  side  of 
the  arm,  and  thus  the  arm  is  encircled  at  its  base  (as  in  discycia)  by 
two  nearly  complete  rings  of  eighteen  and  sixteen  spines.  Tentacle 
scale  single,  oval  but  acute.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  disk  very 
pale  gray,  arms  very  light  yellowish. 


FIG.  83. — OPHIOMITRA  HABKOTATA.    x  15.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  b,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO  ARM 

JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

Localities.— Albatross  station  4893,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  32'  N.; 
long.  128°  32'  50"  E.,  95  to  106  fathoms,  gray  sand,  broken  shells, 
pebbles,  bottom  temperature  55.9°,  1  specimen;  station  4900,  Eastern 
Sea, lat.  32°  28'  50"  N. ;  long.  128°  34'  40"  E.,  139  fathoms,  gray  sand, 
broken  shells,  bottom  temperature  52.9°,  4  specimens;  station  4902, 
Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  30'  50"  N.;  long.  128°  34'  40"  E.,  139  fathoms, 
gray  sand,  broken  shells,  bottom  temperature  52.9°,  2  specimens. 

Type.—C&t.  No.  25609,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4900. 


184 


BULLETIN    75,   UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 


Although  this  species  is  like  discycla  in  many  points,  notably  the 
arrangement  of  the  arm  spines,  it  is  at  once  distinguished  from  that 
species  by  the  spiny  disk,  separated  radial  shields,  very  small  oral 
shields,  and  decidedly  more  "beaded"  or  "knotted"  arms.  The 
large  spine  at  the  distal  end  of  the  radial  shields  is  a  conspicuous  fea- 
ture when  fully  developed,  but  it  is  frequently  small  and  sometimes 


FIG.  84.—  OPHIOMITRA  MICROPHYLAX.    x  6.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  b,  FEOM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO  ARM 

JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

appears  to  be  wanting.  The  very  broad,  outermost  mouth  papilla 
reminds  one  immediately  of  the  similar  papilla  in  the  genus  AmpM- 
pholis. 

OPHIOMITRA  MICROPHYLAX,  new  species.n 

Disk  9  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  60  mm.  long.  Disk  with  deep 
interradial  notches,  covered  with  numerous  small  scales,  most  of 
which  bear  minute  thorny  stumps;  these  are  most  numerous  at  the 

,  signifying  guard,  in  reference  to  the  small  size  of 


,  signifying  little,  and 
the  tentacle  scales. 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK.       185 

center  of  the  disk  and  fewest  near  the  radial  shields.  Radial  shields^ 
very  small,  widely  separated,  only  the  distal  ends  visible,  and  these* 
are  hardly  distinguishable  from  the  larger  disk  scales.  Upper  arm 
plates  pentagonal  or  bell-shaped,  wider  than  long,  well  separated 
from  each  other  or  the  basal  ones  barely  in  contact.  Interbrachial 
spaces  below  covered  with  small  scales.  Genital  slits  rather  small. 
Oral  shields  wider  than  long,  somewhat  rhombic  but  with  distal  half 
larger  than  proximal.  Adoral  plates  large,  much  wider  without  than 
within  where  they  meet;  oral  plates  small.  Oral  papillae  six  or  seven 
on  a  side,  subequal,  pointed;  an  unpaired  one  somewhat  larger  at 
apex  of  jaw.  First  under  arm  plate  small,  squarish;  succeeding 
plates  two  or  three  times  as  wide  as  long,  convex  distally  and  with 
more  or  less  of  a  proximal  angle,  well  separated  from  each  other. 
Side  arm  plates  large,  meeting  above  and  below;  each  one  carries  six 
slender,  sharp  arm  spines,  all  more  or  less  thorny,  but  the  uppermost 
nearly  smooth.  Tentacle  scales  two  on  the  first  pore  of  the  arm, 
sometimes  on  the  second  also,  but  single  thereafter;  at  first  rather 
large  and  oval,  they  quickly  become  small  and  pointed  and  often 
quite  thorny  near  tip.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  light  brown. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  4901,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  30'  10"  N. ; 
long.  128°  34'  40"  E.,  139  fathoms,  gray  sand,  broken  shells,  1  speci- 
men; station  4933,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  30°  59'  N.;  long.  130°  29'  50"  E., 
152  fathoms,  rocky,  bottom  temperature  56°,  22  specimens;  station 
4934,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  30°  58'  30"  N.;  long.  130°  32'  E.,  103  to  152 
fathoms,  rocky,  18  specimens. 

Type.— Cut.  No.  25608,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4933. 

The  appearance  of  the  radial  shields  inclines  one  to  put  this  species 
in  Ophiacantha,  but  the  general  character  of  the  arms  and  mouth 
parts  has  induced  me  to  consider  it  more  nearly  related  to  Ophiomitra. 
The  tentacle  scales  seem  small  compared  with  those  of  most  species 
of  Ophiomitra,  and  this  character,  combined  with  the  small  radial 
shields  and  characteristic  disk  spines,  makes  it  easy  to  recognize  the 
species,  even  in  the  face  of  some  little  individual  diversity  in  these  and 
other  points. 

OPHIOMITRA  BYTHIASPIS,  new  species." 

Disk  12  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  60  to  70  mm.  long,  probably. 
Disk  divided  by  deep  interradial  sulci  into  five  wedge-shaped  parts, 
each  of  which  is  subdivided  by  the  narrow,  deeply  sunken  radial 
shields  into  three  nearly  equal  portions;  disk  covering  consists  of 
numerous  irregular  plates,  smallest  at  center  and  largest  near  mar- 
gins; many  of  these  plates  carry  each  a  low,  smooth,  blunt,  cylindrical 
stump.  Radial  shields  about  four  times  as  long  as  wide,  slightly 

a  Budtoc,  signifying  sunken  and  da^/f ,  signifying  shield,  in  reference  to  the  sunken 
radial  shields. 


186 


BULLETIN    75,    UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 


curved,  deeply  sunken  below  the  disk  scales,  widely  separated 
throughout.  Upper  arm  plates  wider  than  long,  with  a  convex  or 
straight  distal  margin  and  a  strongly  convex,  often  angular,  proximal 
margin;  thus  somewhat  broadly  pentagonal  with  only  the  two  distal, 
lateral  angles  marked;  they  are  much  swollen  and  widely  separated. 
Interbrachial  spaces  below  rather  broad,  somewhat  heart-shaped,  cov- 
ered by  irregular  plates  which  are  large  at  the  margin  but  become 
very  small  near  the  oral  shield.  Genital  slits  short  but  rather  con- 
spicuous. Oral  shields  rhombic  or  pentagonal,  about  as  wide  as  long. 

Adoral  plates  long 
and  narrow,  about 
as  wide  without  as 
within,  where  they 
meet;  oral  plates  very 
small.  Oral  papillae 
about  five  on  a  side 
and  one  at  apex  of 
jaw,  the  outer  ones 
are  truncate,  but  the 
inner  are  more  or  less 
sharply  pointed;  be- 
tween the  penulti- 
mate and  antepenulti- 
mate papilla3  are  sev- 
eral small  granules, 
which  apparently 
serve  as  tentacle  scales 
to  the  oral  tentacle 
pore.  First  under 
arm  plate  pentagonal, 
about  as  wide  as  long; 
second  plate  nearly 
triangular,  but  trun- 

FIG.  85.— OPHIOMITRA  BYTHIASPIS.  X  5.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;    b,  FROM      cated     at     the    angles, 
BELOW;    c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO  ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK.  wider  than  long '    SUC- 

ceeding  plates  nearly  tetragonal,  much  wider  than  long,  widely  sep- 
arated from  each  other.  Side  arm  plates  very  large,  meeting  both 
above  and  below ;  each  plate  carries,  on  rather  a  conspicuous  vertical 
ridge,  six  or  five  long  slender  arm  spines,  of  which  the  uppermost, 
which  may  equal  two  joints,  is  the  longest  (sometimes  the  second  is 
the  longest),  smoothest,  and  sharpest,  while  some  of  the  lower, 
shorter  spines  are  quite  rough  near  the  tip.  Tentacle  scale  single; 
those  ori  the  basal  pores  are  very  large  and  broadly  oval  and  are 
often  accompanied  by  a  second,  smaller  scale;  beyond  the  third 
pair  of  pores  the  scales  are  narrower  and  are  pointed.  Color  (dried 
from  alcohol),  very  light  gray. 


NORTH   PACIFIC   OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM — CLARK.       187 


Locality. — Albatross  station  4979,  off  eastern  Japan,  lat.  33°  53'  N.; 
long.  137°  42'  E.,  943  fathoms,  brown  mud,  fine  sand,  foraminifera, 
bottom  temperature  36.4°,  1  specimen. 
•     Type.— Cut.  No.  25636,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4979. 

The  groups  of  granular  papillae  near  the  distal  end  of  the  jmouth 
slits  are  very  peculiar,  giving  a  characteristic  appearance  to  the  oral 
region,  and  indicate  a  possible  relationship  to  Ophiocamax  lithosora. 
Whether  the  sunken 
appearance  of  the  ra- 
dial  shields  and  the 
correspondingly  re- 
markable division  of 
the  disk  into  fifteen 
wedge-shaped  parts 
is  characteristic  of 
the  species  or  only  an 
accentuated  individ- 
ual peculiarity  can 
not,  of  course,  be  de- 
termined without 
more  material.  But 
it  is  hard  to  doubt 
that  the  main  fea- 
tures of  the  peculiar 
disk  will  be  found  to 
be  characteristic  of 
the  species. 

OPHIOMITRA  POLYA- 
CANTHA,  new  species.** 

Disk  6  mm.  in  di- 
ameter; arms  about 
30  mm.  long.  Disk 
circular,  covered 
with  numerous 
small,  rather  regular 
scales, many  of  which 
bear  each  a  low,  thorny  stump.  Radial  shields  small,  triangular  or 
squarish,  about  as  wide  as  long,  distinctly  separated.  Upper  arm 
plates  small,  rhombic  or  triangular,  with  convex  distal  margin,  widely 
separated  from  each  other;  between  the  upper  arm  plates  the  arm  is 
somewhat  constricted.  Interbrachial  spaces  below,  covered  with 


FIG.  86.— OPHIOMITRA  POLYACANTHA.    x  8.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  FROM 
BELOW;    c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO  ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 


signifying  many  and   aKavda,  signifying  spine,  in  reference  to  the  large 
number  of  arm  spines. 


188  BULLETIN    75,   UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

scales  like  those  of  the  disk.  Genital  slits  long.  Oral  shields  rhombic, 
about  as  long  as  wide.  Adoral  plates  very  large,  tetragonal,  meeting 
broadly  within;  oral  plates  moderate.  Oral  papillae  about  six  on  a 
side  and  one  at  apex  of  jaw;  they  are  long,  flat,  and  somewhat  spatu1 
late,  the  outer  ones  the  widest.  First  under  arm  plate,  tetragonal, 
wider  than  long;  succeeding  plates  somewhat  hexagonal,  about  as 
long  as  wide;  basal  ones  in  contact  or  at  least  overlapping.  Side 
arm  plates  rather  large,  meeting  broadly  above,  but  only  narrowly 
below,  or  not  at  all  near  base  of  arm;  each  plate  carries  nine  or  ten 
long,  slender  sharp  arm  spines,  of  which  the  highest  (first)  and  lowest 
are  shortest  arjd  the  second  or  third  the  longest;  the  lowest  and  the 
upper  two  or  three  are  smooth,  the  others  more  or  less  prickly;  the 
longest  spines  are  equal  to  three  or  more  joints.  Tentacle  scale  single, 
oval  but  pointed,  relatively  huge,  especially  at  base  of  arm.  Color 
(dried  from  alcohol),  very  pale  yellowish-brown. 

Locality.  —  Albatross  station  4936,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  30°  54'  40"  N.; 
long.  130°  37'  30"  E.,  103  fathoms,  stones,  bottom  temperature  60.6°, 
3  specimens. 

Type.—  Cat.  No.  25631,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4936. 

This  is  a  remarkably  well-characterized  species,  the  numerous  long 
arm  spines,  the  huge  tentacle  scales,  the  numerous  oral  papillae,  the 
small  radial  shields  and  upper  arm  plates,  and  the  very  large  adoral 
plates  giving  it  an  unique  appearance.  The  thorny  stumps  on  the 
disk  are  curiously  expanded  at  the  tip,  unlike  those  of  any  Ophiomitra 
with  which  I  am  acquainted. 

OPHIOMITRA  CODONOMORPHA,  new  species.o 

Disk  13  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  65  mm.  long,  probably. 
Disk  with  very  slight  interradial  grooves,  covered  with  scales,  the 
largest  of  which  are  between  the  radial  shields  (radially)  and  the 
smallest  are  along  the  interradial  grooves  ;  a  few  of  the  scales  near 
center  of  disk  carry  each  a  minute,  low,  rough  projection.  Radial 
shields  large,  oval,  longer  than  wide,  so  far  separated  that  the  inter- 
radial distance  between  two  scarcely  exceeds  the  radial.  First  upper 
arm  plate  elliptical,  much  wider  than  long;  succeeding  plates  dis- 
tinctly bell-shaped,  about  as  wide  as  long,  scarcely  in  contact;  more 
or  less  noncalcified  skin  is  visible  among  the  basal  plates  of  the  arm. 
Interbrachial  spaces  below  covered  by  rather  numerous  scales.  Geni- 
tal slits  short  and  wide.  Oral  shields  much  wider  than  long,  some- 

o/ 

what  triangular,  with  a  wide  distal  and  two  lateral  angles,  but  the 
proximal  base  also  tends  to  form  a  wide  angle  between  the  two  adoral 
plates,  which  are  nearly  horizontal,  and  are  a  little  narrower  without 
than  within  where  they  meet;  oral  plates  moderate.  Oral  papillae 


,  signifying  bell,  and  fiop^T]  signifying  shape,  in  reference  to  the  peculiar 
upper  arm  plates. 


NORTH   PACIFIC    OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK.       189 

large,  about  three  on  a  side  and  one  at  apex  of  jaw;  long,  flat,  and 
more  or  less  pointed;  outermost  somewhat  the  largest.  First  under 
arm  plate  hexagonal,  much  wider  than  long;  second  plate  some- 
what triangular,  barely  in  contact  with  the  first,  wider  than  long; 
succeeding  plates  separated,  much  wider  than  long,  nearly  tetragonal, 
but  the  sides  are  not  straight ;  proximal  margin  with  a  slight  median 
point  and  distal,  with  a  shallow  median  notch.  Side  arm  plates  large, 
meeting  below  but  hardly  above  on  basal  part  of  arm;  each  plate 
carries  eight  sharp,  slender  spines,  of  wliich  the  upper  ones  are  smooth, 


C 

FIG.  87.- -OPHIOMITRA  CODONOMOKPHA.    x  4.    a,  PROM  ABOVE;  6,  FKOM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO 

ARM   JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

the  others  (except  the  lowest)  being  rough  or  thorny;  the  next  to  the 
uppermost  is  longest,  considerably  exceeding  the  joint.  Tentacle 
scale  single ;  on  first  arm  pore  the  scale  is  rounded  oval  and  relatively 
enormous,  but  the  succeeding  scales  are  much  smaller  and  are  soon 
narrow  and  pointed.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  light  gray. 

Locality. — Albatross  station  4979,  off  eastern  Japan,  lat.  33°  53'  N.; 
long.  137°  42'  E.,  943  fathoms,  brown  mud,  fine  sand,  foraminifera, 
bottom  temperature  36.4°,  1  specimen. 

'Type.—C&t.  No.  25603,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4979. 


190 


BULLETIN    75,   UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 


This  is  still  another  well-characterized  and  easily  recognized  species, 
of  which  the  collection  contains  but  a  single  specimen.  The  position 
of  the  radial  shields,  the  shape  of  the  upper  arm  plates,  and  the  large 
size  of  the  first  tentacle  scales  are  noticeable  features. 

OPIIIOMITRA  ACONTOPHORA,  new  species.o 

Disk  3  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  20  mm.  long.  Disk  covered 
by  numerous  small  scales,  which  are  more  or  less  concealed  by  the 
many  long,  slender  spear-like  spines  which  they  carry;  these  spines 
are  sharp  pointed  and  have  a  few  teeth  near  the  tip.  Radial  shields 
very  long  and  narrow,  closely  joined  for  nearly  or  quite  their  entire 
length.  Upper  arm  plates  small,  triangular,  with  sides  a  little  curved, 
widely  separated  from  each  other.  Interbrachial  spaces  below  cov- 


FIG.  88.— OPHIOMITRA  ACONTOPHOKA.    x  16.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  b,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE 

ARM   JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

ered,  like  the  disk,  by  numerous  scales,  and,  except  near  the  oral 
shield,  these  carry  the  characteristic  spines.  Oral  shields  rounded 
triangular,  about  as  long  as  wide.  Adoral  plates  large,  wider  without 
than  within  where  they  meet.  Oral  papillae  two  or  three  on  a  side, 
and  one  at  apex  of  jaw,  long,  flat,  and  pointed.  Genital  slits  rather 
large.  First  under  arm  plate  pentagonal,  about  as  wide  as  long; 
succeeding  plates  rather  wider  than  long,  pentagonal,  with  lateral 
margins  concave,  separated  from  each  other,  except  the  first  two  or 
three.  Side  arm  plates  large,  meeting  both  above  and  below;  each 
plate  carries  four  sharp,  straight  spines,  of  which  the  lowest  is  a  little 
the  longest  and  slightly  exceeds  the  joint.  Tentacle  scale  single,  of 
moderate  size.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  nearly  white. 

a  "AKOJV,  signifying  a  javelin,  and  (j>op&,   signifying  carrying,  in  reference  to  the 
numerous  javelin-like  spines  borne  on  the  disk. 


NORTH   PACIFIC   OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM — CLARK.       191 

Localities. — Albatross  station  3338,  off  Alaska,  lat.  54°  19'  N.;  long. 
159°  40'  W.,  625  fathoms,  green  mud,  sand,  bottom  temperature 
37.3°,  13  specimens;  station  4765,  off  Aleutian  Islands,  lat.  53°  12' 
N.;  long.  171°  37'  W.,  1,217  fathoms,  fine  black  sand,  bottom  temper- 
ature 35.2°,  32  specimens;  station  4781,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  52°  14^30" 
N.;  long.  174°  13'  E.,  482  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  pebbles,  bottom 
temperature  38.6°,  1  specimen;  station  4803,  off  Kurile  Islands,  lat. 
46°  42'  N.;  long.  151°  45'  E.,  229  fathoms,  coarse  pebbles,  black  sand, 
bottom  temperature  37°,  1  specimen.  Bathymetrical  range,  229  to 
1,217  fathoms.  Temperature  range,  38.6°  to  35.2°. 

Type.—C&t.  No.  25648,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4781. 

This  pretty  little  ophiuran  differs  so  much  from  the  other  species  of 
OpJiiomitra  in  the  shape  of  the  radial  shields  and  the  spines  of  the 
disk  that  it  may  perhaps  more  properly  be  placed  in  a  separate  genus. 
But  in  the  present  state  of  our  knowledge  of  the  Ophiohelidse  and 
Ophiacanthidse,  I  do  not  think  it  desirable  to  make  new  genera,  if  it 
can  be  avoided. 

OPHIOCAMAX  LITHOSORA,  new  species.a 

Disk  17  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  125  mm.  long.  Disk  rather 
high,  with  a  vertical  diameter  of  about  6  mm.,  divided  into  five  wedge- 
shaped  areas  by  deep  interradial  sulci,  covered  by  a  coat  of  numerous, 
small,  irregular  scales,  the  largest  of  which  are  on  the  interradial 
sides  of  the  distal  ends  of  the  radial  shields;  many  disk  scales  carry 
each  a  low  cylindrical  stump  with  two  to  six  minute  teeth  near  the 
apex.  Radial  shields  long,  narrow,  separated,  more  or  less  sunken 
among  the  disk  scales.  Upper  arm  plates  pentagonal,  much  wider 
than  long,  with  a  proximal  angle  and  a  nearly  straight  distal  margin; 
only  two  or  three  at  base  of  arm  in  contact.  Interbrachial  spaces 
below  somewhat  heart-shaped;  covered  with  small  scales.  Genital 
slits  conspicuous.  Oral  shields  very  much  wider  than  long,  with  a 
proximal  angle,  but  broadly  convex  or  nearly  straight  distally. 
Adoral  plates  large,  about  as  wide  at  outer  end  as  at  inner,  where  they 
meet;  oral  plates  indistinct.  Oral  papillae  numerous  and  irregular, 
ten  or  fifteen  on  a  side;  those  near  apex  of  jaw  are  longer  and  more 
pointed  than  the  distal  ones,  which  are  rounded  and  crowded  together, 
and  look  somewhat  like  little  heaps  of  pebbles.  First  under  arm 
plate  squarish;  succeeding  plates  tetragonal,  very  much  wider  than 
long;  second  plate  has  proximal  margin  much  shorter  than  distal 
and  is  in  contact  with  first;  remaining  plates,  widely  separated. 
Side  arm  plates  rather  large,  meeting  below  and  above;  each  plate 
carries  six  or  seven  long,  slender  spines,  the  upper  ones  smooth,  the 
lower,  more  or  less  thorny;  uppermost  spine,  or  next  one,  longest, 

aA'cdo<;,  signifying  stone,  and  aojpoc,  signifying  heap,  in  reference  to  the  appear- 
ance of  the  distal  clusters  of  oral  papillae. 


192 


BULLETIN    75,   UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 


about  equal  to  three  joints.  Tentacle  scales,  three  at  first  arm  pore, 
two  at  second  and  one  thereafter;  long,  rounded  at  tip  or  pointed, 
very  conspicuous.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  nearly  white. 

Localities.— Albatross  station  4918,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  30°  22'  N.; 
long.  129°  8'  30 "  E.,  361  fathoms,  gray  sand,  globigerina,  broken 
shells,  bottom  temperature  42.7°,  1  specimen;  station  4967,  off  eastern 
Japan,  lat.  33°  25'  10"  N.;'long.  135°  37'  20"  E.,  244  to  253  fathoms, 
brown  mud,  sand,  foraminifera,  bottom  temperature  45.9°;  1  specimen. 

Type.—C&t.  No.  25622,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4918. 


FIG.  89.— OPHIOCAMAX  LITHOSORA.    x  3. 


a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO  ARM 

JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 


These  specimens  remind  one  at  once  of  Ophiomitra  bytfiiaspis,  and  I 
can  not  avoid  the  feeling  that  more  abundant  material  will  show  that 
the  two  species  are  congeneric,  if  not  identical.  The  differences  in 
the  radial  shields,  disk  scales,  disk  spines,  and  oral  shields  are  marked, 
as  well  as  those  in  the  oral  papillae,  but  in  each  of  these  points  the  three 
specimens  vary  among  themselves,  and  the  specimen  of  lithosora 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK.       193 

from  station  4967,  is  orally  very  much  like  byihiaspis,  though  on  the 
upper  side  it  is  totally  unlike  that  species.  Indeed,  I  am  not  sure 
that  this  specimen  from  4967  is  really  conspecific  with  the  one  from 
4918,  but  it  seems  best  to  so  regard  it  for  the  present. 


OPHIOCAMAX  POLYPLOCA,  new  species.« 


Disk  17  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  125  mm.  long.     Disk  rather 
decagonal,  with  very  slight  interradial  notches,  covered  largely  by 


& 


C 

FIG.  90.—  OPHIOCAMAX  POLYPLOCA.    x  3.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO  ARM 

JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

the  radial  shields  except  at  center  and  on  narrow  interradial  areas, 
where    there   are  numerous    overlapping    scales;    these  scales  bear 


,  signifying  much  tangled,  in  reference  to  the  long,  unusually  spiny 
arms. 

34916°—  Bull.  75—11  -  13 


194  BULLETIN    75,   UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

more  or  less  numerous,  minute,  thorny  stumps.  (In  specimens 
smaller  than  the  type,  in  addition  to  the  thorny  stumps,  the  scales  at 
the  center  of  the  disk  carry  long,  sharp,  thorny  spines;  a  specimen  8 
mm.  across  the  disk  has  a  cluster  of  fourteen  such  spines,  1.5  to  2  mm. 
long.)  Kadial  shields  very  large,  twice  as  long  as  wide,  smooth  and 
bare,  closely  joined;  in  small  specimens  they  are  not  so  closely  ap- 
pressed,  and  there  may  even  be  several  little  stumps  between  them. 
Basal  upper  arm  plates  tetragonal  and  in  contact,  about  twice  as 
wide  as  long,  with  smooth  distal  margins;  they  rapidly  become  broader 
and  shorter,  widely  separated,  and  somewhat  pentagonal  with  proxi- 
mal-lateral angles  rounded,  with  distal  margin  minutely  thorny. 
Interbrachial  spaces  below  covered  with  scales,  most  of  which  carry 
the  minute  thorny  stumps.  Oral  shields  small,  somewhat  rhombic, 
but  with  angles  a  little  rounded,  the  distal  one  curiously  drawn  out 
into  a  sort  of  stem,  connecting  with  the  in terbrachial  space.  Genital 
slits  very  large.  Adoral  plates  extraordinarily  large,  quadrant- 
shaped,  closely  appressed  to  each  other,  as  well  as  to  the  oral  shield; 
oral  shields  and  adoral  plates  may  carry  thorny  stumps;  oral  plates 
indistinct.  Oral  papillae  spiniform  and  very  numerous,  about  fifteen 
on  each  side.  First  under  arm  plates  small  and  squarish;  succeeding 
plates,  two  or  three  times  as  wide  as  long,  distinctly  separated,  of  a 
very  peculiar  shape,  with  a  proximal  angle  and  a  remarkable  distal 
projection;  at  first  this  projection  is  smooth,  but  beyond  the  first 
few  basal  joints  it  becomes  more  and  more  rough  and  thorny,  and  at 
the  middle  of  the  arm  it  is  a  thorny  lump.  Side  arm  plates  large, 
meeting  above  and  below;  each  plate  carries  nine  or  ten  straight, 
rather  sharp  spines,  the  upper  ones  smooth,  but  the  middle  and  lower 
ones  more  or  less  thorny;  the  next  to  the  uppermost,  or  the  uppermost, 
is  longest  and  may  equal  five  joints.  Tentacle  scales  variable;  on 
first  two  or  three  basal  tentacle  pores  there  are  three  (rarely  four) 
long,  somewhat  spatulate,  smooth  spine-like  scales;  on  the  next  few 
joints  there  are  two  such  scales  and  then  there  is  only  a  single 
scale,  which  is  short  and  thorny.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  nearly 
white. 

Localities.— Albatross  station  4893,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  32'  N.; 
long.  128°  32'  50"  E.,  95  to  106  fathoms,  gray  sand,  broken  shells, 
pebbles,  bottom  temperature  55.9°,  3  specimens;  station  4901,  East- 
ern Sea,  lat.  32°  30'  10"  N.;  long.  128°  34'  40"  E.,  139  fathoms,  gray 
sand,  broken  shells,  bottom  temperature  52.9°,  1  specimen;  station 
4903,  Eastern  Sea,  laL  32°  31'  10"  N.;  long.  128°  33'  20"  E.,  107  to 
139  fathoms,  gray  sand,  broken  shells,  bottom  temperature  52.9°,  3 
specimens;  station  4933,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  30°  59'  N.;  long.  130°  29' 
50"  E.,  152  fathoms,  rocky,  bottom  temperature  56°,  2  specimens; 
station  4934,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  30°  58'  30"  N.;  long.  130°  32'  E.,  103 
to  152  fathoms,  rocky,  18  specimens;  station  4939,  Kagoshima  Gulf, 


NORTH   PACIFIC    OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK.       195 

lat.  31°  18'  30"  N.;  long.  130°  42;  E.,  85  fathoms,  1  specimen.  Bathy- 
metrical  range,  85  to  152  fathoms.  Temperature  range,  56°  to  52.9°. 
Twenty-eight  specimens. 

Type.— Cat.  No.  25588,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4933. 

This  very  fine  species  is  distinguished  from  the  other  members  of 
the  genus  by  the  huge  radial  shields,  which  cover  most  of  the  disk, 
the  very  long,  smooth,  upper  arm  spines  and  the  peculiar  oral  shields. 
It  is  probably  nearest  to  0.  rugosa  Koehler,  from  the  Dutch  East 
Indies. 

Family  OPHIACANTHID^E. 

With  the  probable  exception  of  the  Ophiolepididse,  there  is  no 
group  of  Ophiurans  so  much  in  need  of  revision  as  those  which  are 
commonly  included  under  this  family  designation.  The  preceding 
family  (Ophiohelidae)  is  a  most  unnatural  group  as  proposed  by 
Perrier  (1891)a  and  as  used  here,  for  Ophiomitra  and  Ophiocamax  are 
very  close  to  true  Ophiacaniha,  and  Ophioiholia  is  an  almost  unique 
genus  of  doubtful  relationships.  Verrill b  has  divided  the  Ophia- 
canthidse  into  a  large  number  of  genera,  many  of  which,  to  say  the 
least,  are  valid  and  worthy  of  recognition.  But  some  of  the  charac- 
ters, of  which  he  makes  use,  seem  to  me  of  doubtful  value,  and  in 
many  cases  I  have  found  it  hard  to  see  the  lines  which  he  has  drawn. 
Lack  of  time  prevents  my  going  into  the  subject  at  present  with  the 
thoroughness  which  it  demands,  and  I  am  therefore  reluctantly  com- 
pelled to  ignore  VerrilFs  genera  for  the  present  and  use  OpJiiacantha  in 
a  very  wide  sense.  I  have  also  stretched  Ophiolebes  to  include  a 
number  of  diverse  forms,  but  in  spite  of  using  these  two  genera  to 
their  widest  extent,  it  has  been  necessary  to  establish  some  new  genera. 
It  is  hoped  that  the  figures  and  descriptions  given  will  atone  in  some 
measure  for  leaving  the  group  even  more  chaotic  than  it  was  before. 

OPHIACANTHA    BIDENTATA. 

Asterias  bidentata  RETZIUS,  Diss.  Ast.,  1805,  p.  33. 

Ophiacantha  bidentata  LJUNGMAN,  Ofv.  Kon.Vet.-Akad.  Forh.,  vol.  28, 1872,  p.  652. 

Localities.— Albatross  station  4781,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  52°  14'  30"  N.; 
long.  174°  13'  E.,  482  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  pebbles,  bottom  temper- 
ature 38.6°,  1  specimen;  station  4804,  off  Kurile  Islands, lat.  46°  42'  N. ; 
long.  151°  47'  E.,  229  fathoms,  coarse  pebbles,  black  sand,  bottom 
temperature 35.9°(?),1  specimen;  station 48 12, off  Sado Island,  lat.  38° 
33'  N.;  long.  138"°  40'  E.,  176  to  200  fathoms,  fine  brown  mud,  bottom 
temperature  34.9°,  3  specimens;  station  4818,  off  Sado  Island,  lat.  38° 
8'  55"  N.;  long.  138°  31'  30"  E.,  225  to  245  fathoms,  fine  brown  mud, 
bottom  temperature  33.7°,  51  specimens;  station  4819,  off  Sado 

a  Verrill  used  the  same  name  in  1899  as  though  ignorant  of  Perrier 's  proposed  family. 
b  Trans.  Conn.  Acad.,  vol.  10,  1899,  pp.  319-357. 


196  BULLETIN   75,   UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

Island,  lat.  38°  9'  N.;  long.  138°  32'  12"  E.,  245  fathoms,  fine  brown 
mud,  bottom  temperature  33.1°,  28  specimens;  station  4820,  off  Sado 
Island,  lat.  37°  37'  N.;  long.  138°  19'  E.,  536  fathoms,  green  mud, 
bottom  temperature  32.4°,  3  specimens;  station  4822,  off  Noto 
Peninsula,  Japan,  lat.  37°  8'  10"  N.;  long.  137°  8'  E.,  130  fathoms, 
green  mud,  bottom  temperature  39.4°,  11  specimens;  station  4828, 
Sea  of  Japan,  lat.  37°  23'  N.;  long.  137°  36'  E.,  163  fathoms,  green 
mud,  bottom  temperature  34.9°,  13  specimens;  station  4861,  off 
Korea,  lat.  36°  19'  N.;  long.  129°  47'  E.,  163  fathoms,  green  mud, 
bottom  temperature  33.4°,  19  specimens;  station  4862,  off  Korea, 
lat.  36°  20'  N.;  long.  129°  50'  E.,  184  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom 
temperature  32.9°,  2  specimens;  station  4982,  Sea  of  Japan,1  lat.  43° 
N.;  long.  140°  10'  30"  E.,  390  to  428  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom 
temperature  32.7°,  3  specimens;  station  4984,  Sea  of  Japan,  lat.  43° 
4'  20"  N.;long.  140°  12'  10"  E.,  224  to  248  fathoms,  green  mud,  bot- 
tom temperature  33°,  6  specimens;  station  4986,  Sea  of  Japan,  lat.  43° 
1'  40"  N.;  long.  140°  22'  40"  E.,  172  fathoms,  fine  black  sand,  black 
mud,  bottom  temperature  33.9°,  1  specimen;  station  4997,  Gulf  of 
Tartary,  lat.  47°  38'  40"  N.;  long.  141°  24 '  30"  E.,  318  fathoms,  green 
mud,  bottom  temperature  32.8°,  8  specimens.  Bathymetrical  range, 
130  to  536  fathoms.  Temperature  range,  39.4°  to  32.4°.  One  hun- 
dred and  fifty  specimens. 

This  species  is  another  example  of  an  Ophiuran  with  an  apparently 
circumpolar  range,  extending  southward  in  both  the  Atlantic  and 
Pacific  oceans.  It  belongs  thus  in  the  same  class  with  Ophiura  sarsii, 
Ophiura  nodosa,  and  Ophiopholis  aculeata.  '  It  is  noticeable,  however, 
that  the  extension  southward  is  only  along  the  Asiatic  side  of  the 
Pacific  and  not  along  the  American  coast.  The  Pacific  specimens  are 
apparently  indistinguishable  from  individuals  collected  along  the  east 
coast  of  North  America. 

OPHIACANTHA    PENTAGONA. 

Ophiacantha  pentagona  KCEHLER,  Ann.  Sci.  Nat.  Zool.  (8),  vol.  4,  1897,  p.  342. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  3698,  off  Manazuru  Zaki,  Honshu 
Island,  Japan,  153  fathoms,  green  mud,  volcanic  ashes,  sand,  1  speci- 
men; station  3713,  off  Ose  Zaki,  Honshu  Island,  Japan,  45  to  48 
fathoms,  volcanic  sand,  shells,  rocks,  1  specimen;  station  3717,  off 
Ose  Zaki,  Honshu  Island,  Japan,  63  to  100  fathoms,  volcanic  sand, 
shells,  rocks,  3  specimens;  station  3737,  off  Port  Heda,  Honshu  Island, 
Japan,  161  to  167  fathoms,  green  mud,  volcanic  sand,  1  specimen; 
station  3758,  off  Suno  Saki,  Honshu  Island,  Japan,  52  to  73  fathoms, 
blue  clay,  rocks,  10  specimens;  station  4879,  Korea  Strait,  lat.  37° 
17'  N.;  long.  130°  15'  E.,  59  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  broken  shells, 
bottom  temperature  62.1°,  2  specimens;  station  4891,  Eastern  Sea, 
lat.  32°  27'  N.;  long.  128°  34'  E.,  181  fathoms,  gray  sand,  broken 


NORTH   PACIFIC    OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK.       197 

shells,  rocks,  bottom  temperature  50.2°,  1  specimen;  station  4893, 
Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  32'  N.;  long.  128°  32'  50"  E.,  95  to  106  fathoms, 
gray  sand,  broken  shells,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  55.9°,  2  speci- 
mens; station  4894, Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  33' N.;  long.  128°32'  10"E., 
95  fathoms,  green  sand,  broken  shells,  pebbles,  1  specimen;  station 
4901,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  30'  10"  N.;  long.  128°  34'  40"  Er,  ^3$ 
fathoms,  gray  sand,  broken  shells,  bottom  temperature  52.9°,  1  speci- 
men; station  4902,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  30'  50"  N.;  long.  128°  34' 
40"  E.,  139  fathoms,  gray  sand,  broken  shells,  1  specimen;  station 
4903,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  31'  10"  N.;  long.  128°  33'  20"  E.,  107  to 
139  fathoms,  gray  sand,  broken  shells,  23  specimens;  station  4904, 
Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  31'  20"  N.;  long.  128°  32'  40"  E.,  107  fathoms, 
fine  gray  sand,  broken  shells,  1  specimen;  station  4905,  Eastern  Sea, 
lat.  31°  39'  N.;  long.  129°  19'  E.,  369  fathoms,  bottom  temperature 
43.4°,  1  specimen;  station  4916,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  30°  25'  N.;  long. 
129°  6'  40"  E.,  361  fathoms,  gray  sand,  globigerina,  broken  shells, 
bottom  temperature  42.7°,  136  specimens;  station  4965,  off  eastern 
Japan,  lat.  33°  35'  20"  N.;  long.  135°  10'  50"  E.,  191  fathoms,  dark 
green-gray  sand,  shells,  bottom  temperature  49.4°,  3  specimens; 
station  4967,  off  eastern  Japan,  lat.  33°  25'  10"  N.;  long.  135°  37' 
20"  E.,  244  to  253  fathoms,  brown  mud,  sand,  bottom  temperature 
45.9°,  2  specimens;  station  4979,  off  eastern  Japan,  lat.  33°  53'  N.; 
long.  137°  42'  E.,  943  fathoms,  brown  mud,  fine  sand,  for aminif era, 
bottom  temperature  36.4°,  9  specimens;  station  5055,  Suruga  Gulf, 
lat.  34°  53'  N.;  long.  138°  44'  50"  E.,  124  fathoms,  green  mud,  gray 
sand,  broken  shells,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  56.6°,  2  specimens; 
station  5069,  Suruga  Gulf,  lat.  35°  3'  10"  N.;  long.  138°  47'  E.,  108  to 
131  fathoms,  mud,  sand,  broken  shells,  bottom  temperature  55.8°, 
1  specimen;  station  5070,  Suruga  Gulf,  lat.  35°  3'  25"  N.;  long.  138° 
47'  40"  E.,  108  fathoms,  mud,  sand,  broken  shells,  bottom  tempera- 
ture 57.6°,  1  specimen;  station  5084,  off  Omai  Saki  Light,  lat.  34°  N.; 
long.  137°  49'  40"  E.,  918  fathoms,  green  mud,  fine  sand,  globigerina, 
bottom  temperature  36.8°,  4  specimens.  B  a  thy  metrical  range,  45  to 
943  fathoms.  Temperature  range,  62.1°  to  36.4°.  Two  hundred  and 
seven  specimens. 

These  specimens  show  great  diversity  in  color  (dried  from  alcohol) 
and  in  the  relative  length  of  arm  (compared  to  disk  diameter).  The 
color  varies  in  different  specimens  from  cream-white  to  deep  grayish- 
brown.  The  length  of  arm  varies  from  four  to  six  times  the  diameter 
of  the  disk.  There  is  so  little  divergence  from  Kcehler's  figures  and 
description  that  I  need  mention  only  two  points;  the  distal  margin  of 
the  upper  and  under  arm  plates  is  very  convex  except  on  the  first  two 
or  three  joints  and  the  plates  are  very  much  farther  apart  than  in  his 
figures;  the  basal  rows  of  spines  of  opposite  sides  are  almost  com- 
pletely approximated  dorsally .  The  largest  specimen  is  nearly  8  mm. 


198  BULLETIN    75,    UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

across  the  disk,  but  most  of  them  are  much  less  than  that  and  some 
may  be  the  young  of  other  species.  The  extensive  bathymetrical  and 
temperature  ranges  would  indicate  the  presence  of  more  than  one 
species  in  the  lot,  but  such  small  specimens  of  OpTiiacantha  can  seldom 
be  positively  identified. 

OPHIACANTHA  LEVISPINA. 
Ophiacantha  levispina  LYMAN,  Bull.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  vol.  5,  1878,  p.  147. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  4908,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  31°  40'  N.; 
long.  129°  29'  40"  E.;  434  fathoms,  gray  globigerina  ooze,  bottom 
temperature  42.9°,  7  specimens;  station  4912,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  31° 
39'  40"  N.;  long.  129°  20'  E.,  391  fathoms,  gray  globigerina  ooze, 
bottom  temperature  41.9°,  1  specimen;  station  4915,  Eastern  Sea, 
lat.  31°  31'  N.;  long.  129°  25'  30"  E.,  427  fathoms,  gray  globigerina 
ooze,  broken  shells,  bottom  temperature  41.9°,  2  specimens;  station 
4916,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  30°  25'  N. ;  long.  129°  6'  40"  E.,  361  fathoms, 
gray  sand,  globigerina,  broken  shells,  bottom  temperature  42.7°,  11 
specimens;  station  4917,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  30°  24'  N. ;  long.  129°  6'  E., 
361  fathoms,  gray  sand,  globigerina,  broken  shells,  bottom  tempera- 
ture 42.7°,  8  specimens;  station  4918,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  30°  22'  N.; 
long.  129°  8'  30"  E.,  361  fathoms,  gray  sand,  globigerina,  broken 
shells,  bottom  temperature  42.7°,  11  specimens;  station  4919,  East- 
ern Sea,  lat.  30°  34'  N.;  long.  129°  19'  30"  E.,  440  fathoms,  globig- 
erina ooze,  bottom  temperature  41. 8°,  19  specimens;  station  4956, 
off  southern  Japan,  lat.  32°  32'f'N.;  long.  132°  25'  E.,  720  fathoms, 
green-brown  mud,  fine  gray  sand,  foraminifera,  bottom  temperature 
37.5°,  7  specimens;  station  4971,  off  eastern  Japan,  lat.  33°  23'  30" 
N.;  long.  135°  34'  E.,  649  fathoms,  green-brown  mud,  foraminifera, 
bottom  temperature,  38.1°,  1  specimen;  station  4980,  off  eastern 
Japan,  lat.  34°  9'  N. ;  long.  137°  55'  E.,  507  fathoms,  brown  mud, 
fine  sand,  foraminifera,  bottom  temperature  39°,  4  specimens;  station 
4984,  Sea  of  Japan,  lat.  43° 4'  20"  N.;  long.  140°  12'  10"  E.,  224  to 
248  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  33°,  1  specimen;  sta- 
tion 5083,  off  Omai  Saki  Light,  lat.  34°  4'  20"  N. ;  long.  137°  57'  30" 
E.,  624  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  globigerina,  bottom  temperature 
38.1°,  2  specimens.  Bathymetrical  range,  224  to  720  fathoms.  Tem- 
perature range,  42.9°  to  33°.  Seventy-four  specimens. 

Lyman  considered  his  single  specimen,  which  measured  6  mm. 
across  the  disk,  as  immature,  but  the  largest  specimen  before  me  is 
only  9  mm.  in  disk  diameter  and  the  great  majority  are  under  7  mm. 
The  broad  distal  oral  papilla  is  the  most  striking  mark  of  this  species 
and  is  fortunately  very  constant.  It  serves  to  distinguish  levispina 
from  pentagona  at  once,  although  in  other  characters  the  two  species 
often  approach  each  other  very  nearly.  There  is  considerable  diver- 
sity shown  in  the  shape  of  the  arm  plates  and  oral  shields;  the  latter 


NORTH   PACIFIC   OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM — CLARK.       199 


are  usually  much  wider  than  long,  but  they  are  sometimes  longer  than 
wide.  None  of  the  Albatross  specimens  have  the  under  arm  plates 
as  narrow  as  in  Lyman's  figures,  and  the  upper  arm  plates  are  rela- 
tively larger  than  he  shows  them,  but  I  do  not  think  these  can  be 
specific  differences. 

OPHIACANTHA  ADIAPHORA,  new  species.o 

Disk  7  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  28  mm.  long.  Disk  pentag- 
onal covered  closely  with  little  stumps,  nearly  one-third  millimeter 
high,  which  are  about 
cylindrical  and  ter- 
minate in  several 
slender,  more  or  less 
diverging  teeth.  Ra- 
dial shields  con- 
cealed. Upper  arm 
plates  small,  nearly 
triangular,  widely 
separated.  Inter- 
brachial  spaces  be- 
low, like  disk,  except 
that  the  scales  are 
visible  just  distal  to 
oral  shield.  Genital 
slits  small.  Oral 
shield  rather  small, 
wider  than  long, 
somewhat  rhombic, 
with  rounded  angles 
and  concave  sides. 
Adoral  plates  mod- 
erate, wider  without 
than  within,  where 
they  do  not  always 

meet.       Oral   papillge      FlG>  W-— OPHIACANTHA  ADIAPHORA.    x  7.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  FROM 

BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE  ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

subequal,    narrow, 

flat,  bluntly  pointed,  three  on  a  side  and  one  at  apex  of  j  aw.  First  under 
arm  plate  rather  large,  pentagonal,  nearly  as  long  as  wide;  succeeding 
plates  hexagonal,  pentagonal,  or  tetragonal,  much  wider  than  long, 
well  separated  from  each  other.  Side  arm  plates  rather  large,  meeting 
broadly  above  and  below,  each  with  six  or  seven  long,  straight, 
pointed  spines;  these  spines  are  not  perfectly  smooth,  but  seem  so 
to  the  unaided  eye;  the  uppermost  (or  one  next  to  it)  is  the  longest 

,  signifying  not  different,  in  reference  to  the  resemblance  to  0.  pentagona. 


200  BULLETIN   75,   UNITED   STATES    NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

and  equals  two  or  three  joints.  Tentacle  scale  single  (sometimes  two 
on  basal  pores),  moderate,  rounded  or  bluntly  pointed.  Color  (dried 
from  alcohol),  nearly  white,  or  bright  brownish-yellow,  or  brownish- 
gray. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  3480,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  52°  6'  N. ;  long. 
171°  45'  W.,  283  fathoms,  black  sand,  coral,  rocky,  3  specimens; 
station  4769,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  30'  40"  N.;  long.  179°  14'  E.,  237 
to  244  fathoms,  gray  sand,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  38.5°,  2 
specimens;  station  4771,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  30'  N. ;  long.  179°  17'  E., 
426  fathoms,  broken  shells,  1  specimen;  station  4772,  Bering  Sea,  lat. 
54°  30'  30"  N.;  long.  179°  14'  E.,  344  to  372  fathoms,  green-brown 
sand,  bottom  temperature  38.1°,  3  specimens;  station  4797,  Sea  of 
Okhotsk,  lat.  52°  37'  30"  N.;  long.  158°  50'  E.,  68  fathoms,  green 
mud,  coarse  black  sand,  broken  shells,  bottom  temperature  36.6°,  1 
specimen;  station  4809,  Sea  of  Japan,  lat.  41°  18'  N. ;  long.  140°  8'  40" 
E.,  90  to  207  fathoms,  gray  sand,  broken  shells,  pebbles,  2  specimens; 
station  4828,  Sea  of  Japan,  lat.  37°  23'  N.;  long.  137°  36'  E.,  163 
fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  34.9°,  1  specimen;  station 
5085,  Sagami  Bay,  lat.  35°  6'  45"  N.;  long.  139°  19'  45"  E.,  622 
fathoms,  green  mud,  fine  black  sand,  bottom  temperature  37.8°,  1 
specimen.  Bathymetrical  range,  68  to  622  fathoms.  Temperature 
range,  38.5°  to  34.9°.  Fourteen  specimens. 

Type.— Cut.  No.  25543,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4772. 

Some  specimens  of  this  species  seem  to  be  so  near  to  0.  pentagona 
that  I  have  been  in  great  doubt  as  to  whether  the  species  ought  to 
be  considered  different  or  not,  but  as  they  are  mostly  from  much 
more  northern  stations,  I  have  decided  to  establish  it.  It  may  be 
recognized  by  the  following  characters:  The  adoral  plates  are  much 
narrower  and  thinner  than  in  pentagona,  the  oral  papillae  are  nar- 
rower and  more  delicate,  the  tentacle  scale  is  larger  and  more  obtuse, 
the  upper  arm  plates  are  smaller  and  more  triangular,  the  arm 
spines  are  a  trifle  shorter  and  thicker,  and  the  disk  stumps  are  much 
longer  and  slenderer.  Unfortunately  no  one  of  these  characters  is 
so  constant  as  to  form  an  unfailing  mark  of  distinction,  yet  when 
all  are  taken  into  account  the  two  species  are  distinguishable.  The 
tentacle  scales  and  disk  stumps  furnish  the  best  characters,  par- 
ticularly in  adults.  Comparison  of  the  figures  given  here  with  the 
figures  of  pentagona  given  by  Kcehler  a  will  serve  to  emphasize  the 
resemblances,  rather  than  the  differences,  between  the  two  species. 
The  largest  specimen  of  adiaphora  before  me  is  9  mm.  across  the 
disk  and  is  remarkable  for  having  six  arms  and  six  jaws;  it  is  not 
otherwise  peculiar. 

a  Investigator  Deep  Sea  Oph.,  1899,  .pi.  4,  figs.  27-29. 


NORTH   PACIFIC    OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK.       201 


OPHIACANTHA  RHACHOPHORA,  new  species.a 

This  species  is  so  close  to  the  two  preceding  that  a  detailed  descrip- 
tion would  be  quite  superfluous.  Its  only  specific  peculiarities  lie 
in  the  very  rough  arm  spines  (except  the  uppermost),  tentacle 
scales,  and  even  oral  papillae.  In  extreme  cases  the  tips  of  the  distal 
oral  papillae  bear  several  teeth  or  little  thorns,  and  the  tentacle 
scales  are  sharp  pointed  with  a  thorn  or  two  on  each  side.  Other 
specimens  have  these  peculiarities  less  marked  and  approach  very 
near  to  pentagona,  and  I  do  not  feel  sure  that  rhachophora  is  anything 
more  than  a  slight  variety  of  that  species.  For  the  present,  how- 
ever, I  think  it  well  to 
distinguish  it  by  a  sepa- 
rate name. 

Localities  .  —  A  Tbatross 
station  3698,  off  Mana- 
zuru  Zaki,  Honshu  Is- 
land, Japan,  153  fathoms, 
green  mud,  volcanic 
ashes,  sand,  1  specimen; 
station  3717,  off  Ose 
Zaki,  Honshu  Island,  Ja- 
pan, 63  to  100  fathoms, 
volcanic  sand,  shells, 
rocks,  2  specimens;  sta- 
tion 3750,  off  Suno  Saki, 
Honshu  Island,  Japan, 
83  to  140  fathoms,  gray 
sand,  broken  shells,  peb- 
bles, 1  specimen;  station 
4771,  Bering  Sea,  lat. 
54°30/N.;  long.  179°  17' 
E.,  426  fathoms,  broken 
shells,  bottom  tempera- 

ture 38.1°     2    specimens'      FIG.  92.—  OPHIACANTHA  RHACHOPHORA.    X  8.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  b, 

FROM  BELOW;  c.  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO  ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

station  4772,  Bering  Sea, 

lat.  54°  30'  30"  N.;  long.  179°  14'  E.,  344  to  372  fathoms,  green- 
brown  sand,  1  specimen;  station  4775,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  33'  30" 
N.;  long.  178°  44'  E.,  584  fathoms,  green  mud,  black  specks, 
foraminifera,  bottom  temperature  37.2°,  16  specimens;  station 
4809,  Sea  of  Japan,  lat.  41°  36'  12"  N.;  long.  140°  8'  40"  E.,  90  to 
207  fathoms,  gray  sand,  pebbles,  broken  shells,  12  specimens;  sta- 
tion 4893,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  32'  N.;  long.  128°  32'  50"  E.,  95  to 
106  fathoms,  gray  sand,  broken  shells,  pebbles,  bottom  tempera- 


,  signifying  a  briar,  and  <f>opa,  signifying  a  carrying,  in  reference  to  the  very 
thorny  arm  spines  and  tentacle  scales. 


202 


BULLETIN   75,   UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 


ture  55.9°,  2  specimens;  station  4902,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  30'  50" 
N.;  long.  128°  34'  40"  E.,  139  fathoms,  gray  sand,  broken  shells, 
bottom  temperature  52.9°,  2  specimens;  station  4903,  Eastern  Sea, 
lat.  32°  31 '  10"  N.;  long.  128°  33'  20"  E.,  107  to  139  fathoms,  gray 
sand,  broken  shells,  bottom  temperature  52.9°,  1  specimen;  station 
4965,  off  eastern  Japan,  lat.  33°  35'  20"  N.;  long.  135°  10'  50"  E., 
191  fathoms,  dark  green-gray  sand,  shells,  bottom  temperature 
49.4°,  71  specimens;  station  4967,  off  eastern  Japan,  lat.  33°  25'  10" 
N.;  long.  135°  37'  20"  E.,  244  to  253  fathoms,  brown  mud,  sand, 
foraminif era, bottom  temperature  45.9°,  2  specimens;  station  5079,  off 
Omai  Saki  Light,  lat.  34°  15'  N.;  long.  138°  E.,  475  to  505  fathoms, 


FIG.  93.—  OPHIACANTHA  OMOPLATA.    X  8.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO  ARM 

JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

pebbles,  bottom  temperature  39.1°,  4  specimens;  station  5001, 
Uraga  Strait,  lat.  35°  4'  10"  N.;  long.  139°  38'  12"  E.,  197  fathoms, 
green  mud,  coarse  black  sand,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  47.6°, 
5  specimens.  Bathymetrica]  range,  63  to  584  fathoms.  Tempera- 
ture range,  55.9°  to  37.2°.  One  hundred  and  twenty-two  specimens. 
Type.—  Cat.  No.  25630,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4902. 

OPHIACANTHA  OMOPLATA,  new  species.* 

Similar  to  adiaphora  in  size  and  proportions  and  in  many  other 
respects.     Upper   arm   plates   a  little   larger   and   relatively   wider 


papilla. 


,  signifying  shoulder  blade,  in  reference  to  the  shape  of  the  distal  oral 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK.       203 

than  in  that  species.  Disk  spines  with  shorter  and  more  numerous 
thorns,  so  that  they  are  really  rough  spines.  Outermost  oral  papilla 
wide  ajid  rounded,  shaped  like  the  shoulder  blade  of  many  Carnivora. 
Oral  shield  very  wide  and  short.  Tentacle  scale  conspicuous,  long, 
rounded  at  tip,  often  distinctly  furrowed.  Under  arm  plates  more 
nearly  square  than  in  adiapTiora. 

Locality. — Albatross  station  4861,  off  Korea,  lat.  36°  19'  N.;  long. 
129°  47'  E.,  163  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  33.4°,  2 
specimens. 

Type.— Cat.  No.  25740,  U.S.N-M.,  from  station  4861. 

Although  this  species  is  very  near  to  the  three  preceding  I  do 


FIG.  94.— OPHIACANTHA.  ACANTHINOTATA.    x  6.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  b,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO 

ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

not  think  there  can  be  much  question  of  its  validity.  The  distal 
mouth  papilla  and  the  disk  spinules  are  very  characteristic  features, 
and  the  peculiar  tentacle  scales  are  quite  noticeable. 

OPHIACANTHA  ACANTHINOTATA,  new  species.& 

Disk  9  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  45  mm.  long.     Disk  covered 
with  numerous  rough  blunt  spines,  about  half  a  millimeter  long. 

& ' 'AKavOworaroe,   signifying   most    spiny,   in   reference   to    the  large    number  and 
length  of  both  disk  and  arm  spines. 


204  BULLETIN   75,   UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

Radial  shields  completely  concealed.  Upper  arm  plates  triangular, 
nearly  as  long  as  wide,  the  basal  ones  more  or  less  in  contact.  Inter- 
brachial  spaces  below,  covered  with  scales  which  are  partly  obscured 
by  spines,  similar  to  those  of  the  disk.  Genital  slits  large.  Oral 
shields  somewhat  pentagonal,  longer  than  broad,  with  distal  end 
narrower.  Adoral  plates  moderate,  not  peculiar.  Oral  papilla  about 
three  on  a  side,  notably  elongated,  the  distal  one  largest  and  some- 
what widened  at  tip;  there  are  two  small  scales  protecting  the  second 
pair  of  oral  pores,  close  to  the  first  under  arm  plate  ;  there  is  a  long 
infradental  papilla  at  apex  of  jaw.  First  under  arm  plate  small, 
squarish;  succeeding  plates  more  or  less  hexagonal,  with  both  prox- 
imal and  distal  angle  somewhat  rounded,  rather  wider  than  long,  at 
first  barely  in  contact  but  soon  becoming  separated.  Side  arm  plates 
very  large,  meeting  more  or  less  above  and  below,  each  with  ten  or 
eleven  smooth,  slender  spines,  of  which  the  next  to  the  uppermost  is 
usually  the  longest  and  may  equal  three  or  four  joints.  Tentacle 
scale  single,  long,  flat,  and  rounded  at  tip  or  bluntly  pointed.  Color 
(dried  from  alcohol),  light  brown. 

Localities.  —  Albatross  station  3661,  Gulf  of  Tokyo,  Japan,  169 
fathoms,  mud,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  48°,  9  specimens;  station 
4892,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  27'  30"  N.  ;  long.  128°  33'  E.,  181  fathoms, 
gray  sand,  broken  shells,  rocks,  bottom  temperature  50.2°,  1  specimen. 

Type.—  Cat.  No.  25634,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4892. 

This  species  is  well  characterized  by  its  mouth  parts,  arm  spines, 
and  tentacle  scales,  in  addition  to  its  peculiar  disk  spinules.  It  is  not 
likely  to  be  confused  with  any  of  the  preceding.  So  far  as  can  be 
judged  by  the  material  at  hand  it  shows  little  variability,  except  that 
the  oral  shield  tends  to  become  triangular  with  a  proximal  base  and 
a  distal  angle. 

OPHIACANTHA  ANCHILABRA,  new  species.o 

Disk  8  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  35  mm.  long.  Disk  covered 
by  short,  thick  stumps,  crowned  with  spinules.  Radial  shields  con- 
cealed. Arms  wide  and  little  constricted  between  the  upper  arm 
plates;  width  of  arm  at  base  nearly  equal  to  one-half  radius  of  disk. 
Upper  arm  plates  broadly  triangular,  widely  separate.  Interbrachial 
spaces  below  covered  with  scales  which  are  little  obscured  by  the 
stumps  they  carry.  Oral  shields  much  wider  than  long,  with  little  or 
no  proximal  angle  and  a  broadly  curved  distal  edge.  Adoral  plates 
large,  about  as  wide  without  as  within,  where  they  do  not  always 
meet.  Oral  papillae,  about  three  on  a  side  and  one  at  apex  of  jaw, 
long,  thick,  and  bluntly  pointed.  Genital  slits  short.  First  under 


aVAr%c,  signifying  near  to,  and  Xafipoc,  signifying  voracious  (Latin  vorax),  in  refer- 
ence to  its  obvious  relationship  to  0.  vorax  Koahler. 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK.       205 

arm  plate  wider  than  long,  in  contact  with  second,  which  is  corre- 
spondingly heptagonal;  succeeding  plates  hexagonal,  separated,  at 
first  wider  than  long  but  rapidly  becoming  longer  than  wide;  at 
middle  of  arm  the  under  arm  plates  are  so  encroached  on  by  the  huge 
tentacle  scales  that  their  length  may  be  nearly  twice  their  least 
breadth.  Side  arm  plates  large,  meeting  both  above  and  below; 
each  plate  carries  about  nine  (seven  to  eleven  in  different  specimens)  - 
long,  smooth  spines,  of  which  the  second  or  third  (from  above)  is 
the  longest,  and  may  equal  four  joints.  Tentacle  scale  single,  very 
large,  often  as  long  as  the  under  arm  plate,  or  nearly  so,  more  or  less 
pointed.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  very  light  brown. 


FIG.  95.— OPHIACANTHA  ANCHILABRA.     x  0.     a,  FROM  ABOVE;  b,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO 

ARM  JOINTS  NEAR   DISK. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  4971,  off  eastern  Japan,  lat.  33°  23'  30" 
N. ;  long.  135°  34'  E.,  649  fathoms,  brown-green  mud,  foraminifera, 
bottom  temperature  38.1°,  1  specimen;  station  5084,  off  Omai  Saki 
Light,  lat.  34°  N. ;  long.  137°  49'  40"  E.,  918  fathoms,  green  mud,  fine 
sand,  globigerina,  bottom  temperature  36.8°,  5  specimens. 

Type.—Csit.  No.  25654,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  5084. 

Although  this  species  is  nearly  related  to  pentagona  and  its  allies, 
it  is  easily  distinguished  from  that  group  by  its  much  broader  and 
stouter  arms,  and  its  longer  and  thicker  oral  papillae ;  the  long  under 


206 


BULLETIN   75,   UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 


arm  plates  near  middle  of  arm  are  also  a  good  character.  On  the 
whole  the  nearest  ally  of  anchilabra  is  Koshler's  species  vorax,  from 
which  it  seems  to  differ  only  in  the  smooth  arm  spines  and  in  the 
absence  of  bare  scales  and  radial  shields  at  the  bases  of  the  arms. 

OPHIACANTHA  TRACHYBACTRA,  new  species.a 

Disk  12  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  60  mm.  long.  Disk  covered 
by  numerous,  nearly  cylindrical  stumps,  crowned  with  several  minute 
spinules.  Radial  shields  concealed,  but  in  dry  specimens  their  form 
and  position  is  clearly  indicated  by  long,  narrow,  well-separated 

ridges.  Arms  rather 
stout;  upper  arm 
plates  rounded  tri- 
angular, about as  wide 
as  long,  well  sepa- 
rated; the  side  arm 
plates,  however,  do 
not  in  the  type  meet 
on  basal  part  of  arm; 
in  smaller  specimens 
they  do.  Inter  bra- 
chial  spaces  below 
well  covered  with 
more  or  less  pointed 
stumps.  Genital  slits 
small.  Oral  shield 
small,  somewhat  pen- 
tagonal, quite  varia- 
ble in  proportion  of 
length  and  breadth; 
commonly  much 
wider  than  long. 
Adoral  plates  very 
large,  wide,  and  thick, 
meeting  broadly  with- 
in. Oral  papillae  nu- 
merous, five  or  six  on  a  side,  besides  one  at  apex  of  jaw,  subequal, 
long,  thick,  bluntly  pointed.  First  under  arm  plate  rather  large,  some- 
what hexagonal,  wider  proximally  than  distally;  succeeding  plates 
ranging  from  nearly  triangular  to  nearly  square;  wider  than  long, 
widely  separated.  Side  arm  plates  large,  separating  the  upper  arm 
plates  above  (even  if  they  do  not  quite  meet  each  other)  and  meeting 
broadly  below;  each  plate  carries  six  or  seven  rather  thick  arm  spines, 

o  Tpa%bc,  signifying  rough,  and  fioKTpov,  signifying  club,  in  reference  to  the  rough, 
club-shaped,  lower  arm  spines. 


FIG.  96.— OPHIACANTHA  TRACHYBACTRA.    x  4.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6, 
FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO  ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 


NOKTH   PACIFIC    OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK.       207 

of  which  the  upper  ones  are  smooth,  tapering,  and  pointed,  while  the 
lower  are  club-shaped  and  have  rough  or  thorny  tips;  uppermost 
longest,  equal  to  two  joints  or  nearly  so;  distally,  the  lower  arm  spines 
are  crowded  and  turned  inward  to  cover  the  lower  surface  of  the  arm. 
Tentacle  scale  single,  very  small  and  pointed ;  those  on  the  first  pair  of 
arm  pores  are  larger  and  blunter  than  the  others,  but  the  difference  is 
not  so  great  as  is  shown  in  fig.  966.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol) ,  very 
light  brown. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  3338,  off  Alaska,  lat.  54°  19'  N.;  long. 
159°  40'  W.,  625  fathoms,  green  mud,  sand,  bottom  temperature  37.3°, 
3  specimens;  station  4781,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  52°  14'  30"  N.;  long.  174° 
13'  E.,  482  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  38.6°, 
1  specimen;  station  5029,  Okhotsk  Sea,  lat.  48°  22'  30"  N.;  long.  145° 
43'  30"  E.,  440  fathoms,  black  sand,  gravel,  bottom  temperature 
35.3°,  1  specimen.  Bathymetrical  range,  440  to  625  fathoms.  Tem- 
perature range,  38.6°  to  35.3°.  Five  specimens. 

Type.—C&t.  No.  25649,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  5029. 

In  some  respects,  notably  the  lower  arm  spines,  this  species  ap- 
proaches certain  forms  which  I  have  included  (in  this  report)  in  the 
genus  Ophiolebes,  but  the  disk  and  mouth  parts  are  so  characteris- 
tically ophiacanthine  that  it  has  seemed  to  me  more  natural  to  include 
it  here.  The  numerous  oral  papillae  are  a  very  noticeable  feature  and 
the  peculiar  position  of  the  lower  arm  spines  on  the  terminal  half  of 
the  arm  is  remarkable,  at  least  in  the  larger  specimens. 

OPHIACANTHA  DIPLOA,  new  species.o 

Disk  7  mm.  in  diameter;  arm  about  45  mm.  long.  Disk  covered 
with  thorny  stumps,  among  which  are  some  elongated  thorny  spines 
almost  exactly  like  those  figured  by  Koehler6  for  duplex.  Radial 
shields  narrow,  widely  separated,  only  the  distal  ends  visible;  there 
are  no  bare  plates  between  or  around  them.  Upper  arm  plates  small, 
triangular  with  distal  margin  curved,  widely  separated,  at  first  wider 
than  long.  Interbrachial  spaces  below  covered  like  disk,  only 
the  stumps  are  all  very  minute.  Genital  slits  not  conspicuous. 
Oral  shields  much  wider  than  long,  rhombic  with  distal  angle  rounded. 
Adoral  plates  large,  rather  short  and  wide,  meeting  broadly  within. 
Oral  papillae  three  or  four  on  a  side  and  one  at  apex  of  j  aw,  long,  thick 
and  sharp,  subequal.  First  under  arm  plate  about  one-third  as  long 
as  second,  hexagonal,  wider  than  long;  succeeding  plates  also  hexag- 
onal and  wider  than  long,  but  the  distal  angle  is  rounded,  and  there 
is  a  distinct  median  notch  in  the  consequently  convex  distal  margin; 
all  the  plates  are  separated  or  the  basal  ones  are  barely  in  contact. 

a  Ac-nXbos,  signifying  double,  equivalent  to  Latin  duplex  in  reference  to  the  two  kinds 
of  spines  on  the  disk  and  its  close  relationship  to  0.  duplex  Koehler. 
&  Investigator,  Deep  Sea  Oph.,  1899,  pi.  9,  fig.  70. 


208  BULLETIN    75,   UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

Side  arm  plates  large,  meeting  broadly  above  and  more  or  less  below; 
each  plate  carries  nine  long,  slender,  nearly  smooth  arm  spines,  of 
which  the  uppermost  (or  next  to  it)  is  the  longest,  and  may  equal 
fully  four  joints;  on  the  basal  joints  of  the  arm,  the  spine  series  of 
opposite  sides  meet  immediately  behind  the  upper  arm  plate;  this 
union  of  the  spine  series  is  most  marked  on  the  first  three  joints 
distal  to  the  disk,  but  at  no  point  on  the  arm  are  the  series  of  any  one 
joint  as  far  apart  as  the  width  of  an  upper  arm  plate.  Tentacle  scale 
single,  of  moderate  size,  flat,  oval,  and  sharp.  Color  (dried  from  alco- 
hol), nearly  white,  but  with  a  yellowish  tinge. 

Locality. — Albatross  station  4957,  off  southern  Japan,  lat.  32°  36' 
N.;  long.  132°  23'  E.,  437  fathoms,  green-brown  mud,  fine  gray  sand, 
foraminifera,  bottom  temperature  39.8°,  2  specimens. 

Type.—C&t.  No.  25741,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4957. 

I  was  at  first  inclined  to  consider  these  specimens  as  representatives 
of  0.  duplex  Kcehler,  but  further  study  has  satisfied  me  they  can  not 
be  that  species.  It  does  not  seem  necessary,  however,  to  give  figures, 
the  relationship  with  duplex  is  so  marked.  The  essential  difference 
is  in  the  number  and  arrangement  of  the  arm  spines;  in  duplex  (10 
mm.,  disk  diameter)  .there  are  eight,  and,  except  the  first  basal  series, 
they  are  not  approximated  dors  ally,  but  are  separated  by  the  full 
width  of  the  upper  arm  plates;  in  diploa  (7  mm.,  disk  diameter)  there 
are  nine,  and  the  series  are  closely  approximated  dorsally  immedi- 
ately behind  the  upper  arm  plates.  Moreover,  while  the  spines  in 
diploa  are  nearly  smooth  (rough  under  a  magnification  of  eight  diame- 
ters) and  the  longest  are  equal  to  fully  four  joints,  Koehler  says  of 
duplex,  "piquants  garnis  de  denticulations  assez  fortes;  le  premier 
ventral  est  plus  long  que  Particle,  le  dernier  dorsal  est  plus  long  que 
deux  articles."  The  oral  papillae  in  diploa  seem  to  be  much  more 
slender,  and  sharper  than  those  of  duplex,  and  the  under  arm  plates 
are  very  different.  The  combination  of  these  characters  has  per- 
suaded me  to  distinguish  diploa  as  a  new  species. 

OPHIACANTHA  INUTILIS. 

Ophiacantha  inutilis  KCEHLER,  Siboga  Oph.  Mer  Prof.,  1904,  p.  111. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  49 19,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  30°34'  N.;  long. 
129°  19'  30"  E.,  440  fathoms,  globigerina  ooze,  bottom  temperature 
41.8°,  1  specimen;  station  4965,  off  eastern  Japan,  lat.  33°  35'  20"  N.; 
long.  135°  10'  50"  E.,  191  fathoms,  dark  green-gray  sand,  shells,  bot- 
tom temperature  49.4°,  1  specimen;  station  5091,  Uraga  Strait,  lat. 
35°  4'  10"  N.;  long.  139°  38'  12"  E.,  197  fathoms,  green  mud,  coarse 
black  sand,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  47.6°,  1  specimen;  station 
5092,  Uraga  Strait,  lat.  35°  4'  50"  N.;  long.  139°  38'  18"  E.,  70 
fathoms,  coarse  black  sand,  bottom  temperature  56.3°,  1  specimen. 


NORTH   PACIFIC   OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM  —  CLARK.       209 

Bathy  metrical  range,  70  to  440  fathoms.     Temperature  range,  56.3° 
to  41.8°.     Four  specimens. 

These  specimens  range  in  size  from  7  to  14  mm.  across  the  disk. 
The  length  of  the  disk  spinules  is  very  variable,  as  is  the  shape  of  the 
adoral  plates,  and  the  number  and  length  of  the  sharp,  slender  spinules 
on  the  outer  edge  of  the  upper  arm  plates  show  great  diversity;  in  the 
smallest  specimens,  the  latter  are  wanting.  The  largest  specimen  has 
nine  arm  spines  and  the  smallest  has  seven  on  the  basal  arm  joints. 
Koehler  suggests  that  inutilis  may  be  identical  with  gratiosa,  one  of 
the  Investigator  species  he  described  in  1897,  and  these  Japanese  speci- 
mens incline  me  to  think  that  this  is  probably  so,  but  as  I  do  not  feel 
sure  of  it,  I  prefer  to  use  the  name  inutilis  for  them. 

OPHIACANTHA  DIPLASIA,  new  species." 

Disk  23  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  150  mm.  long.  Disk  covered 
with  coarse,  nearly  spherical  granules,  which  are  slightly  elongated  at 
the  interradial  margins  ;  distal  to  each  of  the  radial  shields,  which  are 
completely  concealed,  is  a  group  of  slender  spines  of  various  lengths 
(these  spines  were  not  seen  in  any  of  the  other  specimens 
examined,  but  all  of  them  (16)  were  smaller  than  the  type).  Upper 
arm  plates  rhombic,  more  or  less  overlapping  at  base  of  arm  and  in 
contact  far  out  toward  the  tip  ;  at  base  of  arm  they  are  rather  wider 
than  long,  but  distally  they  become  distinctly  longer  than  wide;  the 
distal  angle  of  each  plate  is  rounded  or  truncate  and  in  large  speci- 
mens, near  the  base  of  the  arm,  may  carry  one  or  more  large  granules 
like  those  of  the  disk;  these  are  particularly  numerous  and  noticeable 
in  the  type.  Interbrachial  spaces  below  more  or  less  fully  covered 
by  somewhat  elongated,  pointed  granules.  Genital  slits  large.  Oral 
shields  variable,  but  wider  than  long  and  usually  rhombic  ;  often  pen- 
tagonal, and  not  uncommonly  with  the  distal  part  abruptly  narrowed 
into  a  sort  of  bridge  between  the  shield  and  the  interbrachial  space. 
Adoral  plates  remarkably  variable;  often  short,  moderately  wide  and 
wholly  proximal  to  the  oral  shield  ;  more  commonly  long  and  narrow, 
with  more  or  less  of  an  intrusive  branch  between  the  oral  shield  and 
first  side  arm  plate;  in  the  type,  the  adoral  shields  are  distinctly 
L-shaped  and  completely  inclose  the  oral  shield,  save  for  a  short  distal 
margin.  Oral  papillae  numerous,  five  to  seven  on  a  side  and  one  or 
more  at  apex  of  jaw,  besides  (in  the  type)  one  or  two  extra  ones 
on  the  surface  of  either  the  adoral  or  the  oral  plate;  they  are  long, 
flattened,  blunt,  and  subequal,  or  the  outermost  may  be  longer  or 
wider  than  the  others;  it  is  sometimes  very  long.  First  under  arm 
plate  small,  wider  than  long;  succeeding  plates  squarish  or  by  trun- 
cation of  one  or  more  angles,  pentagonal,  hexagonal,  heptagonal,  and 


,  signifying  twice  as  many,  in  reference  to  the  pair  of  tentacle  scales. 
34916°—  Bull.  75—11—14 


210 


BULLETIN   75,   UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 


even  octagonal;  distal  angles  often  rounded  instead  of  truncate;  all 
of  the  under  arm  plates  are  near  together,  but  they  may  be  slightly 
separated;  they  are  often  in  contact.  Side  arm  plates  moderate,  not 
meeting  above  and  only  slightly,  if  at  all,  below;  each  plate  carries 
seven  or  eight  smooth,  stout  but  delicate  arm  spines,  which  are  more 
or  less  distinctly  flattened;  the  spines  are  not  only  hollow,  but  the 
central  cavity  is  relatively  very  large;  uppermost  spine  (or  one  next 
to  it),  longest,  rather  exceeding  two  joints;  basal  series  of  spines  of 
opposite  sides  not  noticeably  approximate.  Tentacle  scales  two  on 
each  pore,  long,  flat,  and  blunt ;  in  large  specimens  the  basal  pores  have 
three  scales.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  disk,  brown  of  some  shade, 


FIG.  97.— OPHIACANTHA  DIPLASIA. 


X  2.25.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  b,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO  ARM 

JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 


ranging  from  very  light  to  very  dark;  arm  spines  usually  much  lighter 
than  disk  and  often  nearly  white;  occasionally  the  disk  is  dark  brown, 
mottled  with  a  lighter  shade. 

Localities.— Albatross  station  3051,  off  Oregon,  lat.  43°  59'  19"  N.; 
long.  124°  58'  30"  W.,  59  fathoms,  coral,  broken  shells,  rocky,  23 
specimens;  station  3053,  off  Oregon,  lat.  44°  4'  30"  N.;  long.  124°  50' 
W.,  64  fathoms,  coral,  broken  shells,  rocky,  bottom  temperature 
47.3°,  5  specimens;  station  3054,  off  Oregon,  lat.  44°  13'  N. ;  long. 
124°  44'  30"  W.,  53  fathoms,  rocks,  bottom  temperature  48°,  3  speci- 
mens; station  3078,  off  Oregon,  lat.  43°  59'  15"  N. ;  long.  124°  46'  W., 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK.       211 

68  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  45.7°,  6  specimens; 
station  3079,  off  Oregon,  lat.  43°  59'  15"  N.;  long.  124°  44'  40"  W., 
55  fathoms,  rocky,  bottom  temperature  46.7°,  12  specimens;  station 
3119,  off  California,  lat.  36°  56'  30"  N.;  long.  122°  17'  40"  W.,  54 
fathoms,  rocky,  coral,  bottom  temperature  50.9°,  20  specimens; 
station  3160,  off  California,  lat.  37°  48'  35"  N. ;  long.  123°  12'  401'  W., 
39  fathoms,  rocky,  bottom  temperature  51.8°,  1  specimen;  station 
3163,  off  California,  lat.  37°  56'  40"  N.;  long.  123°  25'  30"  W.,  69 
fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  48.5°,  3  specimens; 
station  3350,  off  California,  lat.  38°  58'  10"  N.;  long.  123°  57'  5"  W., 
75  fathoms,  fine  sand,  mud,  bottom  temperature  48.4°,  7  specimens. 
Bathymetrical  range,  39  to  75  fathoms.  Temperature  range,  51.8° 
to  45.7°.  Eighty  specimens. 

Type.— Cat.  No.  25647,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  3051. 

This  large  species,  though  so  variable  in  many  characters,  is  well 
defined  by  its  granular  disk  covering,  numerous  smooth  flattened  arm 
spines,  rhombic  upper  arm  plates  and  two  (or  even  three)  long  and 
conspicuous  tentacle  scales.  The  specimens  before  me  range  in  disk 
diameter  from  12  to  23  mm.  The  most  interesting  of  the  variable 
features  is  the  remarkable  diversity  shown  in  the  form  of  the  adoral 
plates;  in  many  cases  the  oral  shield  is  in  contact  with  the  first  side 
arm  plate,  while  the  adoral  plates  are  wholly  proximal  to  it;  but  it 
is  equally  common  to  find  the  oral  shield  more  or  less  isolated  by 
the  inclosing  arms  of  the  adoral  plate.  Comparison  of  specimens 
shows  that  in  the  young  the  adoral  plates  are  proximal  to  the  oral 
shield,  while  in  large  specimens  they  have  pushed  down  in  between 
the  shield  and  the  arm.  While  this  is  largely  a  matter  of  age  it  is  not 
wholly  so,  for  great  individual  diversity  is  shown;  moreover  the 
different  mouth  angles  of  a  single  individual  often  differ  from  each 
other  to  a  notable  degree.  In  view  of  this  condition  in  this  species,  I 
find  myself  in  doubt  as  to  the  value  of  the  form  of  the  adoral  shields 
as  a  generic  character  in  the  Ophiacanthidse,  and  this  is  one  of  the 
chief  reasons  why  I  have  not  followed  Verrill's  classification. 

OPHIACANTHA  ENNEACTIS,  new  species.a 

Disk  5  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  nine,  15  mm.  long.  Disk  closely  cov- 
ered by  spines  and  sharp  granules;  the  spines  cover  the  central  area, 
but  are  few  or  wanting  at  the  margins;  they  are  long,  straight,  slender, 
sharp  and  nearly  smooth;  the  granules  are  most  abundant  marginally, 
but  are  not  crowded  anywhere;  they  are  sharply  conical  and  end  in 
a  glassy  tip  which  may  have  two  or  even  three  points.  Radial  shields 
completely  concealed.  Upper  arm  plates  somewhat  pentagonal  with 
the  disto-lateral  angles  rounded;  the  first  one  or  two  are  wider  than 
long  but  the  others  are  as  long  as  wide  or  longer;  all  are  widely 

a  ^Ewta,  signifying  nine,  and  d/cr/f ,  signifying  ray,  in  reference  to  the  number  of  rays. 


212 


BULLETIN   75,   UNITED   STATES  NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 


FIG.  98.— OPHIACANTHA  ENNEACTIS.    x  10.    a,  FROM  ABOVE,  SHOWING  ONE  ARM  NEARLY  COMPLETE; 
b,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE  ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 


tfORTH  PACIFIC   OPHIURAKS  IN   NATIONAL  MUSEUM — CLARK.      213 

separated.  Interbrachial  spaces  below  covered  with  elongated  sharp 
granules,  or  spinelets.  Genital  slits  large.  Oral  shields  rounded, 
about  as  long  as  wide,  pointed  proximally  but  with  a  truncate,  distal 
angle.  Adoral  plates  somewhat  variable,  about  three  times  as  long 
as  wide,  meeting  broadly  within,  either  wholly  proximal  to  the  oral 
shield  or  else  pushing  down  more  or  less  between  it  and  the  first  side 
arm  plate.  Jaws  very  narrow,  and  compressed,  each  with  about  seven 
long,  flat,  pointed  oral  papillae,  which  are  subequal  or  the  apical  one 
is  largest.  First  under  arm  plate  hexagonal,  longer  than  wide,  with 
proximal  margin  deeply  notched;  succeeding  plates  broadly  triangular 
with  lateral  angles  rounded  and  distal  margin  convex,  much  wider 
than  long;  all  the  under  arm  plates  are  widely  separated  from  each 
other.  Side  arm  plates  large,  meeting  broadly  above  and  below; 
each  plate  carries  seven  slender,  smooth,  pointed  spines,  of  which  the 
uppermost  is  longest  and  may  exceed  two  joints.  Tentacle  scales 
single,  large,  oval  and  flat,  more  or  less  pointed  at  tip.  Color  (dried 
from  alcohol),  very  pale  brownish. 

Locality.— Albatross  station  4781,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  52°  14'  30"  N.; 
long.  174°  13'  E.,  482  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  pebbles,  bottom  tem- 
perature 38.6°,  1  specimen. 

Type.— Cat,.  No.  25598,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4781. 

This  remarkable  ophiuran  reminds  one  at  once  of  Ophiacantha  vivi- 
para,  an  Antarctic  species  in  which  the  females  have  six  to  eight 
armsa  although  the  males  have  only  five.b  It  is  easily  distinguished 
by  the  differences  in  disk  covering,  under  arm  plates  and  oral  pa- 
pillae, but  one  naturally  wonders  whether  both  sexes  in  this  north 
Pacific  species  have  nine  arms  or  whether  there  is  here  also  a  sexual 
dimorphism.  Other  related  questions  naturally  arise,  but  in  the 
presence  of  only  a  single  specimen  it  is  futile  to  discuss  them.  We 
can  only  hope  that  further  collecting  in  Bering  Sea  will  bring  to  light 
more  abundant  material  of  this  most  interesting  Ophiacantha. 

OPHIACANTHA  PRIONOTA,  new  species.c 

Disk  9  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  42  mm.  long.  Disk  covered 
with  a  coarse  scaling,  which  is  only  partially  concealed  by  numerous 
rough,  stout  spines,  nearly  a  millimeter  long.  Distal  ends  of  radial 
shields  visible,  widely  separated.  Upper  arm  plates  rhombic,  with 
distal  angle  rounded,  or  triangular  with  distal  margin  strongly  convex, 
about  as  wide  as  long,  only  the  first  two  or  three  in  contact.  Inter- 
brachial spaces  below  covered  with  scales,  upon  which  only  a  few 

a  Wyville  Thomson  (Jour.  Linn.  Soc.  London,  vol.  13,  1876,  p.  77)  says  there  are 
six  to  nine  arms  and  that  he  never  saw  fewer  than  six. 

bSee  Koehler,  Zool.  Anz.,  vol.  31,  1907,  p.  229. 

c  flptovajTof,  signifying  like  a  saw,  in  reference  to  the  character  of  the  lowest  arm 
spines. 


214 


BULLETIN   75,  UNITED  STATES  NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 


scattered  spines  are  borne.  Genital  slits  very  large.  Oral  shield 
nearly  triangular,  rather  wider  than  long.  Adoral  plates  very  large, 
wider  without  than  within  where  they  meet.  Oral  papillae  three  on  a 
side  and  one  at  apex  of  jaw;  the  apical  papilla  and  those  on  each  side 
are  relatively  huge,  thick,  rhombic,  or  triangular,  and  sharp;  distal 
papillae  smaller,  narrower,  and  blunter.  First  under  arm  plate 
rather  large,  squarish,  wider  than  long;  succeeding  plates  separated, 
somewhat  pentagonal,  with  very  wide  distal  margin,  and  narrow 
proximal  angle;  toward  the  tip  of  the  arm,  the  proximal  half  of 
each  under  arm  plate  is  very  narrow.  Side  arm  plates  moderate, 

meeting  slightly  above 
and  below;  each  plate 
carries  six  short  arm 
spines,  of  which  the  up- 
permost is  longest  and 
may  equal  three  joints; 
the  upper  ones  are  terete, 
smooth,  and  pointed ;  the 
lower  are  flat  and  more  or 
less  toothed  or  serrate  on 
the  margins,  as  well  as 
rough  on  the  surface;  at 
the  base  of  the  arm  the 
flattening  is  confined 
chiefly  to  the  lowest  spine 
of  each  series,  but  distally 
all  of  the  lower  spines 
show  it  to  a  greater  or 
less  degree;  of  course,  the 
flatter  the  spine,  the  more 
marked  are  the  serrations. 
Tentacle  scale  single 
(rarely  two  on  first  pore  of  arm),  rather  large,  flat,  oval,  pointed. 
Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  light  brown. 

Locality. — Albatross  station  4928,  off  southern  Japan,  lat.  29°  51 '  N. ; 
long.  131°  2'  30"  E.,  1,008  fathoms,  gray  sand,  globigerina,  bottom 
temperature  36.8°,  1  specimen. 

Type.— Cat.  No.  25729,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4928. 
This  species  is  so  well  characterized  by  the  disk  covering,  the  huge 
oral  papillae,  the  big  adoral  plates  and  the  serrate  lower  arm  spines, 
that  it  is  not  likely  to  be  confused  with  any  other.  It  would  be 
interesting  to  know  whether  it  is  strictly  an  abyssal  form  or,  like  0. 
bidentata,  has  a  great  bathymetric  range.  It  is  futile  to  speculate 
on  the  basis  of  one  specimen,  but  it  is  perhaps  worth  noting  that  the 


FIG.  99.— OPHIACANTHA  PRIONOTA.    x  5.5.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6, 
FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO  ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 


NORTH   PACIFIC   OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM — CLARK.       215 

disk  spines  and  the  large  adoral  plates  recall  some  of  the  deep-sea 
types  collected  by  the  Challenger. 

OPHIACANTHA  GRANULOSA. 
Ophiacantha  granulosa  LYMAN,  Bull.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  vol.  5,  1878,  p.  138. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  3755,  off  Suno  Saki,  Honshu  Island, 
Japan,  52  to  77  fathoms,  gray  sand,  coral,  4  specimens ;  station  4895, 
Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  33'  10"  N.;  long.  128°  32'  10"  E.,  95  fathoms, 
green  sand,  broken  shells,  pebbles,  1  specimen;  station  4936,  Eastern 
Sea,  lat.  30°  54'  40"  N.;  long.  130°  37'  30"  E.,  103  fathoms,  stones, 
bottom  temperature  60.6°,  5  specimens. 

None  of  the  specimens  are  as  large  as  Lyman's  type,  but  they  do 
not  differ  in  any  structural  feature  so  far  as  I  can  see.  They  range  in 
disk  diameter  from  3  to  6  mm.  The  numerous,  long,  slender,  smooth 
spines,  the  granular  disk  covering,  and  the  bare  radial  shields  are  a 
very  distinctive  combination  of  characters. 

OPHIACANTHA  NORMANI. 

Ophiacantha  normani  LYMAN,  Bull.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  vol.  6,  1879,  p.  58. 

Localities.— Albatross  station  2853,  off  Alaska,  lat.  56°  N. ;  long.  154° 
20'  W.,  159  fathoms,  gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  41°,  81  speci- 
mens; station  2858,  off  Alaska,  lat.  58°  17'  N.;  long.  148°  36'  W.,  230 
fathoms,  blue  mud,  gravel,  bottom  temperature  39.8°,  37  specimens; 
station  2860,  off  Washington,  lat.  51°  23'  N.;  long.  130°  34'  W.,  876 
fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  36.5°,  14  specimens;  sta- 
tion 2871,  off  Washington,  lat.  46°  55'  N.;  long.  125°  11'  W.,  559 
fathoms,  brown  ooze,  bottom  temperature  38.4°,  811  specimens;  sta- 
tion 2873,  off  Washington,  lat.  48°  30'  N.;  long.  124°  57'  W.,  40 
fathoms,  rocks,  bottom  temperature  47.8°,  1  specimen;  station  3069, 
off  Washington,  lat.  47°  25'  30"  N.;  long.  125°  42'  W.,  760  fathoms, 
green  mud,  bottom  temperature  37.6°,  10  specimens;  station  3070, 
off  Washington,  lat.  47°  29'  30"  N.;  long.  125°  43'  W.,  636  fathoms 
green  mud,  bottom  temperature  37.9°,  302  specimens;  station  3071, 
off  Washington,  lat.  47°  29'  N.;  long.  125°  33'  30"  W.,  685  fathoms, 
green  mud,  bottom  temperature  38°,  102  specimens;  station  3073, 
off  Washington,  lat.  47°  28'  N.;  long.  125°  15'  W.,  477  fathoms,  green 
mud,  bottom  temperature  49.2°,  20  specimens;  station  3074,  off 
Washington,  lat.  47°  22'  N.;  long.  125°  48'  30"  W.,  877  fathoms, 
green  mud,  bottom  temperature  36.6°,  33  specimens;  station  3075, 
off  Washington,  lat.  47°  22'  N. ;  long.  125°  41'  W.,  859  fathoms,  green 
mud,  bottom  temperature  36.6°,  122  specimens;  station  3316,  Bering 
Sea,  lat.  54°  1'  N.;  long.  166°  48'  45"  W.,  309  fathoms,  black  sand, 
gravel,  bottom  temperature  38.2°,  150  specimens;  station  3317,  Bering 
Sea,  lat.  53°  57'  40"  N.;long.  166°  57'  W.,  165  fathoms,  coarse  sand, 


216  BULLETIN   75;  UNITED  STATES  NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 

gravel,  rocks,  3  specimens;  station  3330,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  ()'  45" 
N.;  long.  166°  53'  50"  W.,  351  fathoms,  black  sand,  mud,  bottom 
temperature  37.8°,  154  specimens;  station  3331,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54° 
1'  40"  N.;  long.  166°  48'  50"  W.,  350  fathoms,  mud,  1  specimen; 
station  3332,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  2'  50"  N.;  long.  166°  45'  W.,  406 
fathoms,  rocky  sand,  1  specimen;  station  3337,  off  Alaska,  lat.  53° 
55'  30"  N.;  long.  163°  26'  W.,  280  fathoms,  green  mud,  rocks,  bottom 
temperature  39.3°,  50  specimens;  station  3338,  off  Alaska,  lat.  54°  19' 
N.;  long.  159°  40'  W.,  625  fathoms,  green  mud,  sand,  163  specimens; 
station  3340,  off  Alaska,  lat.  55°  26'  N.;  long.  155°  26'  W.,  695  fath- 
oms, mud,  75  specimens;  station  3343,  off  Washington,  lat.  47°  40' 
40"  N.;  long.  125°  20'  W.,  516  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  tempera- 
ture 38.2°,  250  specimens  (  +  "1  bushel  rejected");  station  3346,  off 
Washington,  lat.  45°  30'  N.;  long.  124°  52'  W.,  786  fathoms,  green 
mud,  bottom  temperature  37. 3 °,  18  specimens;  station  3347,  off 
Washington,  lat.  45°  9'  35"  N.;  long.  124°  45'  W.,  345  fathoms,  mud, 
bottom  temperature  40.9°,  69  specimens;  station  3480,  Bering  Sea, 
lat.  52°  6'  N. ;  long.  171  °  45'  W.,  283  fathoms,  black  sand,  coral,  rocky, 
2  specimens;  station  3607,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  11'  30"  N.;  long.  167° 
25'  W.,  987  fathoms,  green  mud,  black  lava,  sand,  bottom  tempera- 
ture 35.9°,  53  specimens;  station  3608,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  55°  19'  N.; 
long.  168°  11'  W.,  276. fathoms,  gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  37.8°, 
845  specimens;  station  3609,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  55°  35'  N.;  long.  168° 
20'  W.,  74  fathoms,  green  mud,  sand,  bottom  temperature  37.9°,  6 
specimens;  station  3696,  off  Manazuru  Zaki,  Honshu  Island,  Japan, 
501  to  749  fathoms,  green  mud,  volcanic  ashes,  sand,  73  specimens; 
station  4767,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  12'  N.;  long.  179°  7'  30"  E.,  771 
fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  36.5°,  6  specimens;  station 
4768,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  20'  30"  N.;  long.  179°  9'  30"  E.,  764  fath- 
oms, green-brown  mud,  fine  black  sand,  bottom  temperature  37°,  2 
specimens;  station  4775,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  33'  30"  N.;  long.  178° 
44'  E.,  584  fathoms,  green  mud,  black  specks,  foraminifera,  bottom 
temperature  37.2°,  387  specimens;  station  4893,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32° 
32'  N.;  long.  128°  32'  50"  E.,  95  to  106  fathoms,  gray  sand,  broken 
shells,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  55.9°,  2  specimens;  station  4971, 
off  eastern  Japan,  lat.  33°  23'  30"  N.;  long.  135°  34'  E.,  649  fathoms, 
brown-green  mud,  foraminifera,  bottom  temperature  38.1°,  3  speci- 
mens; station  4972,  off  eastern  Japan,  lat.  33°  25'  45"  N.;  long.  135° 
33'  E.,  440  fathoms,  brown-green  mud,  foraminifera,  bottom  tempera- 
ture 39.8°,  2  specimens;  station  4977,  off  eastern  Japan,  lat.  33°  23' 
N. ;  long.  135°  37'  40"  E.,  544  fathoms,  brown  mud,  fine  sand,  bottom 
temperature  38.9°,  4  specimens;  station  4980,  off  eastern  Japan,  lat. 
34°  9'  N.;  long.  137°  55'  E.,  507  fathoms,  brown  mud,  fine  sand, 
foraminifera,  bottom  temperature  39°,  5  specimens;  station  5015, 
Okhotsk  Sea,  lat.  46°  44'  N.;  long.  144°  2'  E.,  510  fathoms,  green 


NORTH   PACIFIC    OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM — CLARK. 

mud,  bottom  temperature  35.9°,  4  specimens;  station  5023,  Okhotsk 
Sea,  lat.  48°  43'  30"  N.;  long.  145°  .3'  E.;  75  fathoms,  sand,  pebbles, 
bottom  temperature  30.9°,  1  specimen;  station  5033,  Yezo  Strait,  lat. 
44°  4'  20"  N.;  long.  145°  28'  E.,  533  fathoms,  green  mud,  fine  black 
sand,  bottom  temperature  35.9°,  1  specimen;  station  5036,  south  of 
Hokkaido,  lat.  41°  58'  N.;  long.  142°  30'  30"  E.,  464  fathoms, brown 
mud,  bottom  temperature  37.9°,  2  specimens;  station  5082,  off  Omai 
Saki,  lat.  34°  5'  N.;  long.  137°  59'  E.,  662  fathoms,  green  mud,  fine 
sand,  globigerina,  bottom  temperature  37.7°,  76  specimens;  station 
5083,  off  Omai  Saki,  lat.  34°  4'  20"  N.;  long.  137°  57'  30"  E.,  624 
fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  globigerina,  bottom  temperature  38.1°,  3 
specimens;  station  5085,  Sagami  Bay,  lat.  35°  6'  45"  N.;  long.  139° 
19'  45"  E.,  622  fathoms,  green  mud,  fine  black  sand,  bottom  tempera- 
ture 37.8°,  2  specimens;  station  5087,  Sagami  Bay,  lat.  35°  9'  40" 
N.;  long.  139°  19'  5"  E.,  614  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature 
37.5°,  1  specimen.  No  label,  12  specimens.  Bathymetrical  range, 
40  to  987  fathoms.  Temperature  range,  55.9°  to  30.9°.  Three  thou- 
sand nine  hundred  and  fifty-nine  specimens. 

The  above  list  is  sufficient  evidence  of  the  abundance  of  this  species 
in  the  north  Pacific,  but  in  spite  of  this  abundance  and  the  great 
geographical  and  bathymetrical  range,  it  shows  remarkable  con- 
stancy in  its  specific  characters.  Among  all  these  thousands  of 
specimens,  ranging  in  disk  diameter  from  3J  to  22  mm.,  there  are  no 
notable  variations  and  the  individual  diversity  shown  is  very  slight. 
One  specimen  from  station  3696  is,  however,  perfectly  tetramerous. 
In  specimens  under  8  mm.  disk  diameter  there  are  only  three  arm 
spines,  but  even  in  the  largest  specimens  the  fourth  spine  is  found 
only  on  the  basal  joints  of  the  arm.  The  extent  to  which  the  disk 
scales  are  concealed  by  the  granules,  the  size  and  pointedness  of  the 
granules,  the  number  of  granules  on  the  upper  arm  plates,  the  form 
of  the  under  arm  plates  and  the  shape  of  the  teeth  are  the  principal 
features  in  which  a  normal  amount  of  diversity  is  shown.  Lyman, 
in  his  final  report  on  the  Challenger  ophiurans,  transferred  this  species 
to  Ophiomitra,  but  subsequent  writers  have,  as  a  rule,  considered  it 
as  more  properly  an  Ophiacantha,  and  it  certainly  seems  to  belong  in 
that  genus,  in  a  broad  sense.  According  to  VerrilPs  classification, 
it  would  be  a  very  typical  member  of  his  proposed  genus  OpJiialcsea. 

OPHIACANTHA  CATALEIMMOIDA,  new  species.a 

Disk  17  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  75  to  80  mm.  long.  Disk 
covered  more  or  less  sparsely  with  coarse,  rounded  granules,  as  in 
normani.  Radial  shields,  as  in  that  species,  with  distal  half  bare, 

a  Karodsinfiof,  signifying  relictus,  and  etdof,  signifying  form,  in  reference  to  the  general 
resemblance  to  0.  relicta  Kcehler. 


218  BULLETIN   75,   UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 

widely  separated.  Upper  arm  plates  more  or  less  rhombic,  or  tri- 
angular with  distal  margin  convex  or  straight,  wider  than  long,  only 
a  few  of  the  basal  ones  in  contact;  distal  margin  of  some  basal  ones 
carrying  granules  as  in  normani.  Interbrachial  spaces  below  with  a 
sparse  granulation.  Genital  slits  very  large.  Oral  shield  tetragonal, 
very  short  and  wide.  Adoral  plates  rather  large,  proximal  to  oral 
shield,  meeting  broadly  within,  slightly  curved.  Oral  papillae 
rather  large,  three  on  a  side  and  often  one  at  apex  of  jaw,  subequal 
or  the  distal  one  largest.  First  under  arm  plate  small,  wider  than 
long;  succeeding  plates  heptagonal,  hexagonal,  or  pentagonal, 
according  to  the  truncation  or  rounding  of  the  proximal  and  distal 


FIG.  100.— OPHIACANTHA  CATALEIMMOIDA.    x  3.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  b,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO 

ARM   JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

angles,  wider  than  long,  all  but  the  first  two  distinctly  separated. 
Side  arm.  plates  moderate,  in  contact  both  above  and  below;  each 
plate  carries  six  or  seven  straight,  smooth  spines,  of  which  the  next 
to  the  uppermost  is  longest  and  may  exceed  three  joints;  rows  of 
spines  not  approximate  dorsally.  Tentacle  scale  single,  very  large, 
flat,  rounded,  and  more  or  less  distinctly  curved  outward  around  the 
base  of  the  lowest  arm  spine.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  quite  vari- 
able, ranging  from  deep  purplish-brown  to  light  yellowish-brown  or 
even  almost  white;  dark  specimens  sometimes  have  the  disk  mottled 
with  lighter;  the  rubbing  off  of  the  disk  granules,  with  its  consequent 


NORTH   PACIFIC    OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM — CLARK.       210 

exposure  of  the  close,  even  scaling  of  the  disk,  greatly  affects  the 
color,  for  the  scales  are  gray  of  some  shade,  often  quite  dark;  some- 
times the  radial  scales  are  dark  while  the  interradial  are  light.  The 
arms  are  sometimes  prettily  banded  with  light  and  dark. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  2853,  off  Alaska,  lat.  56°  N.;  long. 
154°  20'  W.,  159  fathoms,  gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  41°,~T04 
specimens;  station  3332,  off  Alaska,  lat.  54°  2'  50"  N.;  long.  166° 
45'  W.,  406  fathoms,  rocky,  sand,  4  specimens;  station  3338,  off 
Alaska,  lat.  54°  19'  N.;  long.  159°  40'  W.,  625  fathoms,  green  mud, 
sand,  bottom  temperature  37.3°,  3  specimens;  station  3339,  off 
Alaska,  lat.  54°  46'  N.;  long.  157°  43'  30"  W.,  138  fathoms,  mud, 
gravel,  bottom  temperature  37.4°,  106  specimens  ("half  a  peck 
rejected");  station  3340,  off  Alaska,  lat.  55°  26'  N.;  long.  155°  26' 
W.,  695  fathoms,  mud,  bottom  temperature  36.8°,  2  specimens; 
station  4781,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  52°  14'  30"  N.;  long.  174°  13'  E.,  482 
fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  38.6°,  3  spec- 
imens; station  4804,  off  Kurile  Islands,  lat.  46°  42'  N.;  long.  151°  47' 
E.,  229  fathoms,  coarse  pebbles,  black  sand,  bottom  temperature  35.9°, 

1  specimen;  station  4980,  off  eastern  Japan,  lat.  34°  9'  N.;  long. 
137°  55'  E.,  507  fathoms,  brown  mud,  fine  sand,  foraminifera,  bot- 
tom temperature  39°,  39  specimens;  station  5079,  off  Omai  Saki  Light, 
lat.  34°  15'  N.;  long.  138°  E.,  475  to  505  fathoms,  pebbles,  bottom 
temperature  39.1°,  10  specimens;  station  5080,  off  Omai  Saki  Light, 
lat.  34°  10'  30"  N.;  long.  138°  40'  E.,  505  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand, 
globigerina,   bottom  temperature  38.7°,    1   specimen;  station  5083, 
off  Omai  Saki  Light,  lat.  34°  4'  20"  N.;  long.  137°  57'  30"  E.,  624 
fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  globigerina,  bottom  temperature  38.1°,  38 
specimens;  station  5093,  Uraga  Strait,  lat.  35°  3'  15"  N.;  long.  139° 
37'  42"  E.,  302  fathoms,  coarse  black  sand,  bottom  temperature  43.9°, 

2  specimens.     Loc.  ?,   12  specimens.     Bathymetrical  range,   138  to 
695  fathoms.     Temperature  range,  43.9°  to  35.9°.     Three  hundred 
and  twenty-five  specimens. 

Type.—Csit.  No.  25625,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  3339. 

Although  at  first  sight  this  species  is  very  near  both  relicta  Koehler 
and  normani  Lyman,  it  is  quite  distinct  from  either.  The  arm  spines 
are  as  numerous  as  in  relicta,  but  they  are  perfectly  smooth,  while  the 
remarkable  tentacle  scales  are  very  characteristic. 

OPHIACANTHA  (EDIDISCA,  new  species.a 

Disk  10  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  50  mm.  long.  Disk  decidedly 
tumid,  or  swollen,  its  vertical  diameter  being  about  4  mm.;  it  is 
very  closely  covered  by  minute  granules,  which  are  not,  however,  in 

a  'Oldeaj,  signifying  to  swell,  and  dloicoe,  signifying  disk,  in  reference  to  the  very 
elevated  disk. 


220  BULLETIN  ^75,  UNITED  STATES  NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 

actual  contact  with  each  other.  Radial  shields,  or  at  least  distal  ends 
of  them,  bare,  roundish,  well  separated.  Upper  arm  plates  triangular, 
those  on  basal  half  of  arm  more  or  less  in  contact  and  consequently 
with  proximal  angle,  more  or  less  truncate,  wider  than  long;  distal 
margin  with  a  series  of  granules  like  those  of  the  disk,  and  others  are 
often  scattered  on  the  surface  of  the  plates.  Interbrachial  spaces 
below  less  thickly  granulated  than  disk.  Genital  slits  very  large. 
Oral  shield  somewhat  rhombic  with  lateral  and  distal  angles  rounded, 
much  wider  than  long.  Adoral  plates  long,  narrow,  straight.  Oral 
papillae  three  or  four  on  a  side,  and  one  at  apex  of  jaw,  long,  flat, 
pointed,  subequal  or  apical  one  largest.  First  under  arm  plate  small, 
wider  than  long,  narrower  distally ;  second  plate  more  or  less  triangu- 
lar, wider  than  long;  succeeding  plates  squarish,  their  outlines,  par- 


FIG.  101.— OPHIACANTHA  CEDIDISCA.    x  5.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  FKOM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE  ARM 

JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

ticularly  proximally,  quite  indistinct;  they  are  well  separated  and 
between  each  two  there  is  more  or  less  of  a  depression;  it  is  difficult 
to"  determine  whether  the  side  arm  plates  meet  in  the  depression  or 
not.  Side  arm  plates  not  very  large,  not  meeting  above  and  appar- 
ently not  below;  each  plate  carries  six  short,  stout,  arm  spines,  of 
which  the  upper  two  are  longest,  though  hardly  exceeding  the  joint, 
and  smoothest;  lowest  spines  quite  rough,  at  least  near  tip.  Ten- 
tacle scale  single,  not  very  large,  pointed.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol), 
yellowish  or  grayish. 

Localities.— Albatross  station  4957,  off  southern  Japan,  lat.  32°  36' 
N.;  long.  132°  23'  E.,  437  fathoms,  green-brown  mud,  fine  gray  sand, 
foraminifera,  bottom  temperature  39.8°,  1  specimen;  station  4959, 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK.       221 

off  southern  Japan,  lat.  32°  36'  30"  N. ;  long.  132°  23'  20"  E.,  405  to 
578  fathoms,  green-brown  mud,  fine  gray  sand,  foraminifera,  bottom 
temperature  40.1°,  3  specimens;  station  4960,  off  southern  Japan, 
lat.  32°  34'  N. ;  long.  132°  21 '  45"  E..  578  fathoms,  green-brown  mud, 
fine  gray  sand,  foraminifera,  bottom  temperature,  38.7°,  1  specimen; 
station  4976,  off  eastern  Japan,  lat.  33°  22'  50"  N. ;  long.  135°  38'JM)^' 
E.,  544  to  545  fathoms,  brown  mud,  small  stones,  bottom  tempera- 
ture 38.7°,  1  specimen;  station  5080,  off  Omai  Saki  Light,  lat.  34°  10' 
30"  N. ;  long.  138°  40'  E.,  505  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  globigerina, 
bottom  temperature  38.7°,  1  specimen.  Bathymetrical  range,  405  to 
578  fathoms.  Temperature  range,  40.1°  to  38.7°.  Seven  specimens. 

Type.^C&t.  No.  25731,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4959. 

This  is  an  interesting  species  for  while  the  figures  and  description 
reveal  a  close  relationship  to  normani  and  relicta,  the  general  appear- 
ance is  quite  different  owing  to  the  tumid  disk  and  the  slender 
arms  with  short  spines.  Indeed  the  arms,  and  particularly  the  arm 
spines,  are  much  like  those  of  some  species  of  Ophiolebes.  The  under 
arm  plates,  with  the  depressions  between,  also  give  an  impression 
quite  different  from  that  of  any  of  the  related  species  of  Ophiacantha. 

OPHIACANTHA  LEUCORHABDOTA,  new  species.a 

Disk  16  mrn.  in  diameter;  arms  about  65  mm.  long.  Disk  covered 
with  a  sparse  coating  of  very  coarse  granules,  only  three  to  five  to  the 
square  millimeter;  most  of  the  granules  are  spherical  or  nearly  so 
but  some  have  minute  spinelets  on  the  free  end.  Radial  shields 
large,  bare,  near  together  but  not  in  contact,  longer  than  broad. 
Upper  arm  plates  rhombic  with  proximal  angle  more  or  less  truncate, 
distal  angle  rounded  and  distal  sides  curved  (concave);  first  one. 
wider  than  long,  second  longer  than  wide,  remainder  as  wide  as  long 
or  wider;  all  more  or  less  in  contact.  Interbrachial  spaces  below 
well  covered  with  granules.  Genital  slits  long  but  not  conspicuous. 
Oral  shield  pentagonal  with  all  angles,  except  proximal,  rounded, 
wider  than  long.  Adoral  plates  rather  large,  about  as  wide  without 
as  within  where  they  meet;  oral  plates  moderately  large.  Oral 
papillae  numerous,  five  or  six  on  each  side  and  one  or  more  at  apex  of 
jaw,  long,  flat,  blunt,  the  distal  one  distinctly  the  largest.  First 
under  arm  plate  longer  than  wide,  narrower  distally ;  succeeding  plates 
much  wider  than  long,  narrower  proximally,  nearly,  if  not  quite,  in 
contact;  they  are  pentagonal  with  proximo-lateral  sides  concave  and 
distal  angle  rounded,  or  if  this  angle  is  truncated  they  are  of  course 
hexagonal.  Side  arm  plates  rather  large,  not  meeting  above  and 

«  AeuKOf,  signifying  white,  and  papdtordf,  signifying  striped,  in  reference  to  the  color  of 
the  arms. 


222 


BULLETIN    75,    UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 


scarcely  so  below;  each  plate  carries  eight  or  nine  smooth,  stout 
spines,  of  which  the  two  uppermost  are  longest  and  about  equal  to 
two  joints.  Tentacle  scales  two  on  first  pair  of  arm  pores  but  single 
thereafter,  large,  flat,  rounded,  with  a  decided  tendency  to  curve 
around  the  base  of  lowest  arm  spine.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol), 
brown;  inner  ends  of  radial  shields  and  a  broad  longitudinal  stripe 
on  each  arm,  white;  arm  spines,  disk  granules,  and  oral  surface  very 
light. 

Locality.— Albatross  station  4934,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  30°  58'  30"  N.; 
long.  130°  32'  E.,  103  to  152  fathoms,  rocky,  bottom  temperature 
60.6°  to  56°,  1  specimen. 


FIG.  102.— OPHIACANTHA  LEUCOEHABDOTA.    x  3.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO 

ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

Type.—C&t.  No.  25655,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4934. 

This  species  is  easily  the  handsomest  Ophiacaniha  in  the  collection. 
The  combination  of  large,  bare  radial  shields,  rhombic  upper  arm 
plates  in  contact,  numerous  oral  papillae,  numerous  stout,  smooth  arm 
spines  and  characteristic  tentacle  scales,  with  .the  striking  coloration, 
will  prevent  confusion  with  any  other  species.  Of  course,  it  must  be 
borne  in  mind  that  the  coloration  may  prove  to  be  a  very  inconstant 
and  therefore  unreliable  character. 


NORTH   PACIFIC    OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK.       223 

OPHIACANTHA  EURYPOMA,  new  species.a 

Disk  15  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  85  mm.  long.  Disk  covered 
with  very  minute  thorny  stumps,  which  are  more  or  less  rubbed  off, 
leaving  the  underlying  scaling  bare.  Radial  shields  roundish,  bare, 
near  together,  and  sometimes  almost  touching  distally.  Upper  arm 
plates  triangular,  about  as  wide  as  long,  well  separated,  except  jtwo 
at  base  of  arm,  which  are  tetragonal  and  broadly  in  contact.  Inter- 
brachial  space  below,  like  disk.  Genital  slits  small.  Oral  shield 
rhombic,  with  rounded  angles,  wider  than  long.  Adoral  plates  large, 
only  about  twice  as  long  as  wide,  meeting  broadly  within.  Oral 
papillae  three  on  a  side  and  one  at  apex  of  jaw;  all  are  long  and  con- 


FIG.  103.—  OPHIACANTHA  EURYPOMA.    x  3.5.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  b,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO 

ARM   JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

spicuous,  and  all  but  the  outermost  are  narrow  and  sharp  ;  outermost 
very  wide,  squarish.  First  under  arm  plate  hexagonal,  wider  than 
long;  second  plate,  in  contact  with  first,  broadly  bell-shaped,  much 
wider  than  long;  succeeding  plates  heptagonal,  hexagonal  or  tetrag- 
onal, at  first  wider  than  long,  but  becoming  longer  than  wide,  sepa- 
rated from  each  other.  Side  arm  plates  moderate,  meeting  slightly 
above  and  below  ;  each  plate  carries  seven  or  eight  slender  spines,  the 
upper  ones  smooth,  the  lower  ones  very  slightly  thorny,  the  lowest 

,  signifying  lid,  in  reference  to  the  broad,  distal 


aEupo£,  signifying  broad,  and 
oral  papilla. 


224  BULLETIN    75,   UNITED   STATES    NATIONAL    MUSEUM. 

smooth;  next  to  uppermost  longest,  equal  to  rather  more  than  two 
joints.  Tentacle  scale  single,  very  large,  especially  on  first  pair  of 
pores, flat  and  blunt  or  somewhat  pointed.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol), 
very  light  yellowish. 

Locality. — Albatross  station  2859,  off  Alaska,  lat.  55°  20'  N.;  long. 
136°  20'  W.,  1,569  fathoms,  gray  ooze,  bottom  temperature  34.9°,  3 
specimens. 

Type.— Cat.  No.  25626,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  2859. 

Although  this  species  is  obviously  related  to  normani,  cataleimmoida, 
and  wdidisca,  it  may  be  readily  distinguished  from  any  of  those  species 
by  the  thorny  stumps, rather  than  granules,  on  the  disk;  the  proximity 


C 

.  104.—  OPHIACANTHA  LEPIDOTA.    x  10.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO  ARM 


JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 


of  the  radial  shields,  the  huge  outer  oral  papilla,  and  the  numerous 
very  slender  arm  spines.  The  general  appearance  is  lighter  and  more 
fragile  than  that  of  any  of  the  related  species. 

OPHIACANTHA  LEPIDOTA,  new  species.a 

Disk  5  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  20  mm.  long,  probably.     Disk 
covered  by  large  overlapping  scales,  upon  which  are  borne  low,  thorny 


signifying  covered  with  scales,  in  reference  to  the  coarse  scaling  of  the 
disk  (fig.  104a);  very  likely  not  particularly  applicable  to  an  uninjured  specimen. 


NORTH   PACIFIC    OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM  -  CLAEK.       225 

stumps;  how  numerous  the  stumps  normally  are  the  present  condi- 
tion of  the  specimen  does  not  permit  us  to  determine.  Radial  shields 
exposed  only  at  the  extreme  distal  ends  where  they  are  not  quite  in 
contact.  Upper  arm  plates  triangular,  as  long  as  wide  or  longer, 
widely  separated;  arms  decidedly  constricted  between  each  pair. 
Interbrachial  space  below  like  disk  above.  Genital  slits  large.  Oral 
shield  broadly  pentagonal,  much  wider  than  Jong;  distal  side  very 
short.  Adoral  plates  moderate,  three  times  as  long  as  broad,  meeting 
very  narrowly  within.  Oral  papillae  three  on  a  side  and  one  at  apex 
of  jaw,  long,  thick,  bluntly  pointed;  distal  papilla  much  the  widest. 
(In  fig.  1046  the  distal  papilla  is  drawn  in  an  oblique  position,  so  that 
its  full  width  is  not  indicated.)  First  under  arm  plate  longer  than 
wide,  rather  hexagonal;  succeeding  plates  more  or  less  pentagonal, 
at  first  much  wider  than  long,  but  soon  becoming  longer  than  wide, 
well  separated.  Side  arm  plates  low  and  long,  but  meeting  broadly 
both  above  and  below;  each  plate  carries  six  smooth,  slender  spines, 
of  which  the  next  to  the  uppermost  is  longest  and  may  equal  two 
joints.  Tentacle  scale  single,  quite  large,  oval,  flat,  and  blunt. 
Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  dirty  whitish,  the  disk  with  a  decidedly 
gray  tinge. 

Locality.  —  Albatross  station  3338,  off  Alaska,  lat.  54-°  19'  N.;  long. 
159°  40'  W.,  625  fathoms,  green  mud,  sand,  bottom  temperature 
37.3°,  1  specimen. 

Type.—  Cut.  No.  25529,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  3338. 

This  is  one  of  those  exasperating  specimens  which,  although  without 
any  distinctive  or  notable  characters,  refuse  to  be  assigned  to  any 
known  species,  and  yet  are  so  small  and  badly  preserved  it  is  humilia- 
ting to  make  them  types  of  new  species.  Although  other  species  of 
Ophiacaniha  were  taken  at  station  3338,  this  specimen  can  not  be 
referred  to  any  one  of  them,  and  I  do  not  know  of  any  species  from 
elsewhere  with  which  it  might  be  united. 

OPHIACANTHA  EUPHYLACTEA,  new  species.a 

Disk  7  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  35  mm.  long.  Disk  covered 
by  a  fine  scaling  (coarse  near  radial  shields),  which  was  probably 
concealed  in  life  by  the  minute,  thorny  stumps,  of  which  there  are 
now  only  a  few  scattered  ones  left.  Distal  ends  of  radial  shields 
exposed  and  nearly  in  contact.  Upper  arm  plates  rounded  pentag- 
onal or  hexagonal,  at  first  'wider  than  long,  but  soon  becoming  as 
long  as  wide.  Although  not  actually  in  contact,  they  separate  the 
side  arm  plates  widely.  Interbrachial  space  below  like  disk.  Geni- 
tal slits  very  large.  Oral  shield  tetragonal,  with  wide  proximal 


«  E5,  signifying  well,  and  ^yAa/c-reof,  signifying  guarded,  in  reference  to  the  way  in 
which  the  lower  arm  spines  protect  the  tentacles. 
34916°—  Bull.  75—11  -  15 


226 


BULLETIN    75,   UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 


angle,  much  broader  than  long.  Adoral  plates  -  short  and  wide, 
hardly  meeting  within.  Oral  papillae  very  long,  stout,  pointed, 
three  or  four  on  a  side,  subequal,  and  a  larger  one  at  apex  of  jaw. 
First  under  arm  plate  very  large,  squarish,  about  as  long  as  wide; 
succeeding  plates  squarish  or  hexagonal,  wider  than  long,  broadly 
separated  from  each  other.  Side  arm  plates  moderate,  well  sep- 
arated above,  but  meeting  broadly  below.  Each  plate  carries  six 
to  eight  short,  thick,  bluntly  pointed  arm  spines;  upper  ones  smooth, 
second  and  third  longest,  not  quite  equal  to  two  joints;  lowest  three 
or  four  smaller  (much  smaller  at  middle  of  arm),  more  or  less  flat- 


FIG.  105.— OPHIACANTHA  EUPHYLACTEA.    X  7.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO 

ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

tened,  rough,  and  hooked  at  tip.  Tentacle  scales  none,  but  the 
three  or  four  lowest  arm  spines  form  a  very  efficient  protection  for 
the  tentacles,  which  are,  however,  except  the  first  two  or  three 
pairs,  very  small.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  whitish. 

Locality. — Albatross  station  3697,  off  Manazuru  Zaki,  Honshu 
Island,  Japan,  120  to  265  fathoms,  gray  mud,  volcanic  sand,  1 
specimen. 

Type.— Cat.  No.  25730,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  3697. 

Although  the  single  specimen  shows  the  effect  of  acid  alcohol,  by 
a  certain  amount  of  decalcification,  which  is  most  marked  on  the 


NORTH   PACIFIC   OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL  MUSEUM — CLARK.       227 

upper  arm  plates,  the  arm  spines,  and  the  oral  papillae,  its  characters 
are  so  unique  I  have  no  hesitation  in  making  it  the  type  of  a  new 
species.  I  would  call  particular  attention  to  the  huge,  spiniform 
oral  papillae;  the  very  large  first  under  arm  plate  widely  separated 
from  second;  the  absence  of  tentacle  scales,  and  the  very  charac- 
teristic lower  arm  spines. 

OPHIACANTHA  HYLACANTHA,  new  species.a 

Disk  11  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  60  mm.  long.     Disk  covered 
by  numerous  stout,  pointed,  rough  spines,  nearly  or  quite  a  milli- 


FIG.  106. — OPHIACANTHA  HYLACANTHA.    x  4.5.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  FKOM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO 

ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

meter  long.  Among  the  spines  are  scattered  coarse  granules,  but 
whereas  the  spines  are  chiefly  near  the  center  of  the  disk,  the  gran- 
ules are  chiefly  marginal,  particularly  distal  to  the  radial  shields. 
Radial  shields  large,  well  separated,  rather  longer  than  wide,  bare 
and  smooth.  Upper  arm  plates  more  or  less  triangular,  as  long  as 
wide  or  longer;  basal  ones  in  contact,  but  farther  out  they  are  sep- 
arated; some  basal  ones  bear  marginal  granules,  as  in  normani. 

a"TXi],  signifying  forest,  and  amvda,  signifying  spine,  in  reference  to  the  forest  of 
spines  on  the  disk. 


228  BULLETIN   75,   UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

Interbrachial  spaces  below  covered  with  scales,  carrying  a  few  elon- 
gated granules.  Genital  slits  small.  Oral  shields  rhombic,  with 
rounded  angles,  about  as  long  as  wide.  Adoral  plates  very  large, 
about  half  as  wide  as  long,  meeting  broadly  within.  Oral  papillae 
large,  three  on  a  side  and  one  at  apex  of  jaw,  bluntly  pointed,  sub- 
equal,  or  distal  one  largest.  Under  arm  plates  wider  than  long,  the 
first  about  half  as  large  as  second;  first  and  second  distinctly  in 
contact,  second  and  third  hardly  so,  the  remainder  separated.  Side 
arm  plates  rather  large,  meeting  above  and  below,  except  at  very 
base  of  arm.  Each  plate  carries  eight  stout  spines,  of  which  the 
second  or  third  (from  above)  is  the  longest,  equaling  two  joints  or 
more;  uppermost  three  and  lowest  one  smooth,  the  intermediate 
four  slightly  rough  near  tip.  Tentacle  scale  single,  large;  broad  and 
rounded  on  basal  pores,  it  soon  becomes  narrower  and  pointed. 
Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  light  grayish-brown. 

Locality.  —  Albatross  station  5084,  off  OmaiSaki  Light,  lat.  34°  N.; 
long.  137°  49'  40  "  E.,  918  fathoms,  green  mud,  fine  sand,  globiger- 
ina,  bottom  temperature  36.8°,  1  specimen. 

Type.—C&t.  No.  25593,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  5084. 

This  single  specimen,  which  is  very  well  preserved,  is  much  like 
cataleimmoida,  except  in  the  oral  shields  and  adoral  plates  and  in 
the  disk  covering.  In  the  latter  particular,  it  is  quite  unlike  any 
other  Ophiacantha  in  the  collection,  and  I  fail  to  find  any  previously 
known  species  to  which  it  might  be  referred. 

OPHIACANTHA  ATOPOSTOMA,  new  species." 

Disk  10  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  probably  about  50  mm.  long. 
Disk  covered  by  numerous  slender  pointed  spines,  one-fourth  to  one 
millimeter  long,  which  under  a  microscope  are  minutely  thorny. 
Radial  shields  only  visible  distally,  where  they  are  well  separated 
and  surrounded  by  the  disk  spines.  Upper  arm  plates  triangular, 
with  distal  side  convex,  wider  than  long  and  well  separated.  Inter- 
brachial spaces  below  much  like  disk  above.  Genital  slits  small. 
Oral  shields  rounded,  wider  than  long,  with  distal  side  more  or  less 
projecting.  Adoral  plates  large,  twice  as  long  as  wide,  meeting 
broadly  within.  Oral  papillae  five  or  six  on  a  side  (sometimes  a  single 
one  at  apex  of  jaw),  the  proximal  ones  narrow  and  pointed,  the  distal 
one  (outermost)  broad,  flat  and  rounded  at  tip;  distal  to  this  broad 
papilla  and  borne  on  the  proximal  edge  of  the  adoral  plate,  is  a  sharp, 
slender,  spinelike  papilla  (sometimes  there  are  two).  First  under 
arm  plate  small  and  squarish,  a  trifle  wider  than  long;  second  plate 
in  contact  with  first,  heptagonal,  wider  than  long;  third  barely  touch- 


<*  "Armor,  signifying  odd,  peculiar,  and  arfyta,  signifying  mouth,  in  reference  to  the 
peculiar  mouth  parts. 


NORTH   PACIFIC   OPHIURANS  IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM — CLARK.       229 

ing  second,  hexagonal,  about  as  long  as  wide;  succeeding  plates  sepa- 
rated, more  or  less  pentagonal,  with  rounded  distal  margin,  longer 
than  wide.  Side  arm  plates  large,  meeting  above  and  below,  each 
with  seven  stout,  smooth,  not  very  sharp  spines,  of  which  the  upper- 
most is  longest  and  exceeds  two  joints.  Tentacle  scales  two  on  first 
pair  (or  first  two  pairs)  of  arm  pores;  after  that  single,  but  very  large, 
flat  and  oval.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  light  grayish-brown  or  dirty 
whitish. 


FIG.  107.— OPHIACANTHA  ATOPOSTOMA.    x  5.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO 

ARM   JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

Locality.— Albatross  station  4772,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  30'  30"  N.; 
long.  179°  14'  E.,  344  to  372  fathoms,  green-brown  sand,  bottom 
temperature  38.1°,  1  specimen. 

Type.— Cut.  No.  25599,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4772. 

Although  this  specimen  is  in  very  poor  condition,  the  mouth  parts 
are  so  peculiar  and  characteristic  that,  taken  in  connection  with  the 
disk  covering,  they  warrant  the  description  of  a  new  species.  I  do 
not  know  of  any  other  with  which  it  is  likely  to  be  confused,  although 
it  resembles  0.  stimuleaLtymsui  in  many  characters;  the  exposed  radial 


230  BULLETIN   75,   UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

shields  and  characteristic  adoral  plates,  with  their  spines,  readily 
distinguish  it  from  that  southern  species. 

OPHIACANTHA  BAIRDI. 
Ophiacantha  bairdi  LYMAN,  Bull.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  vol.  10,  1883,  p.  256. 

Localities.— Albatross  station  3070,  off  Washington,  lat.  47°  29'  30" 
N.;  long.  125°  43'  W.,  636  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature 
37.9°,  59  specimens;  station  3338,  off  Alaska,  lat.  54°  19'  N.;  long. 
159°  40'  W.,  625  fathoms,  green  mud,  sand,  bottom  temperature 
37.3°,  2  specimens;  station  3784,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  32'  N.;  long. 
178°  31 '  E.,  850  fathoms,  green  mud,  fine  gray  sand,  78  specimens; 
station  4767,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  12'  N.;  long.  179°  1'  30"  E.,  771 
fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  36.5°,  150  specimens; 
station  4772,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  30'  30"  N.;  long.  179°  14'  E.,  344 
to  372  fathoms,  green-brown  .sand,  bottom  temperature  38.1°,  1 
specimen;  station  4979,  off  eastern  Japan,  lat.  33°  53'  N.;  long.  137° 
42'  E.,  943  fathoms,  brown  mud,  fine  sand,  foraminifera,  bottom 
temperature  36.4°,  5  specimens.  Bathymetrical  range,  344  to  943 
fathoms.  Temperature  range,  38.1°  to  36.4°.  Two  hundred  and 
ninety-five  specimens. 

Although  Lutken  and  Mortensen"  have  already  recorded  this 
species  from  the  Pacific  Ocean  and  have  given  some  excellent  figures 
of  it,  I  have  only  been  persuaded,  after  persistent  comparison  with 
Lyman's  West  Indian  specimens,  that  these  North  Pacific  specimens 
are  really  bairdi.  I  am  unable,  however,  to  find  any  character  in 
which  the  Pacific  specimens  consistently  differ,  nor  is  there  the 
slightest  difference  between  the  specimens  from  station  4767  and 
those  from  station  4979.  The  geographical  range  of  bairdi  is  there- 
fore astonishing,  extending  from  the  eastern  Atlantic  (Travailleur 
coll.),  through  the  Caribbean  Sea  and  Gulf  of  Panama,  westward  to 
Japan  and  northward  to  Alaska.  In  Liitken  and  Mortensen's  fig- 
ures, already  referred  to,a  the  arm  spines  are  rather  heavy.  All  of 
the  specimens  before  me  have  very  slender  and  sharp  arm  spines. 
Kcehler  6  speaks  of  bairdi  as  having  tw& tentacle  scales,  whereas  Lyman 
definitely  says,  and  Lutken  and  Mortensen  clearly  figure,  one;  none 
of  the  specimens  before  me  have  more  than  one,  even  on  the  first 
arm  pores.  This  species  is  very  near  Ophioconis,  and  it  is  virtually 
impossible  to  find  any  character  which  would  warrant  their  being 
placed  in  separate  families,  yet  our  present  system  of  classification 
severs  them  widely.  There  is  not  a  little  individual  diversity  in  the 
relative  abundance  of  spines  and  granules  on  the  disk  of  bairdi.  In 
some  specimens  there  are  no  granules  sufficiently  elongated  to  be 

a  Mem.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  vol.  23,  1891,  p.  177. 
bSiboga  Oph.  Mer  Prof.,  1904,  p.  119. 


NORTH   PACIFIC    OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK.       231 

called  spines,  while  in  other  cases  nearly  all  of  the  granules  are 
elongated  and  most  of  them  are  really  spiniform. 

OPHIACANTHA  LAMBDA,  new  species.a 

Disk  10  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  60  mm.  long.  Disk  covered 
by  a  dense  coat  of  small,  elongated  granules.  Radial  shields  bare  dis- 
tally,  widely  separated.  Upper  arm  plates  rhombic  or  triangular,  with 
distal  side  convex,  widely  separated.  Interbrachial  spaces  below,  less 
closely  covered  than  disk,  with  elongated  granules.  Oral  shield  very 
large,  wider  than  long,  pointed  within,  laterally  rounded.  Genital  slits 
small.  Adoral  plates  L-shaped,  meeting  within,  the  short  arm  of  the 
L  about  half  as  long 
as  the  other,  and 
separating  the  oral 
shield  from  the  first 
side  arm  plate.  In- 
ner ends  of  adoral 
plates  and  the  oral 
plates  carry  a  num- 
ber of  granules  like 
those  of  the  disk, 
but  shorter.  Oral 
papillae  four  on  a 
side,  and  a  large, 
flat,  pointed  one  at 
apex  of  jaw;  outer- 
most papilla  much 
the  largest,  very 
wide,  truncate. 
First  under  arm 
plate  large,  wider 
than  long,  some- 
what hexagonal;  FIG.  108.— OPHIACANTHA  LAMBDA.  X  5.  a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  FROM 

succeeding    plates 

also  wider  than  long,  pentagonal  with  distal  side  convex;  all  are 
widely  separated  from  each  other.  Side  arm  plates  large,  meeting 
above  and  below,  each  with  five  smooth  pointed  arm  spines,  of  which 
the  uppermost  is  much  the  longest,  nearly  equaling  three  joints. 
Tentacle  scale  single,  very  large,  oval,  flat,  not  at  all  pointed.  Color 
(dried  from  alcohol),  nearly  white. 

Locality. — Albatross  station  4957,  off  southern  Japan,  lat.  32°  36' 
N.;  long.  132°  23'  E.,  437  fathoms,  green-brown  mud,  fine  gray  sand, 
foraminifera,  bottom  temperature  39.8°,  2  specimens. 


a  Aappda,  signifying  L,  in  reference  to  the  shape  of  the  adoral  plates. 


232 


BULLETIN    75,   UNITED   STATES    NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 


.— Cat.  No.  25722,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4957. 
Although  this  species  is  obviously  near  to  bairdi,  and  therefore  very 
near  Ophioconis,  it  is  easily  distinguished  from  these  allies  by  the 
exposed  radial  shields,  the  characteristic  mouth  parts  and  the  few 
arm  spines;  the  rounded  tentacle  scales  are  also  different  from  those 
of  bairdi. 

OPHIACANTHA  LOPHOBRACHIA,  new  species.a 

Disk  about  4|  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  15  mm.  long.  Disk 
completely  covered  with  a  dense  coat  of  short  spines,  which  are  thick, 
and  of  nearly  uniform  height.  Radial  shields  completely  concealed. 
Upper  arm  plates  small,  nearly  triangular,  somewhat  wider  than  long, 
well  separated.  Interbrachial  spaces  below  apparently  covered  like 


FIG.  109. — OPHIACANTHA  LOPHOBRACHIA.    x  12.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  b,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE 

ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

disk.  Genital  slits  short  but  wide.  Oral  shield  nearly  triangular 
(madreporite,  rhombic)  longer  than  wide.  Adoral  plates  very  large, 
wider  without  where  they  separate  oral  shield  from  arm  plate  than 
within  where  they  meet.  Jaw  terminated  by  a  large,  nearly  triangu- 
lar tooth,  the  lowest  of  the  vertical  series.  On  each  side  are  three 
oral  papillae,  narrow  and  spine-like.  The  outermost  is  much  the 
longest  and  is  virtually  a  tentacle  scale  for  the  first  oral  tentacle, 
which  is  very  large.  First  under  arm  plate  hexagonal,  longer  than 
broad,  widely  separated  from  second,  which  is  somewhat  larger,  pen- 

a  A6<j>of  signifying  ridge,  and  {tpa%iiov,  signifying  arm,  in  reference  to  the  unusually 
notable  ridges  on  the  side  arm  plates. 


NORTH   PACIFIC   OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM  —  CLARK.       233 

tagonal,  and  wider  than  long;  succeeding  plates  pentagonal,  wider 
than  long,  well  separated  from  each  other.  Side  arm  plates  short 
but  high,  meeting  broadly  above  and  below;  median  area  of  each 
plate  elevated  into  a  narrow,  conspicuous  ridge,  as  high  as  half  the 
diameter  of  the  arm  between  the  ridges.  Each  ridge  carries  eight  or 
nine  straight,  smooth,  pointed  spines,  of  which  the  middle  ones__are 
longest  and  a  little  exceed  two  joints.  Tentacle  scales  three  on  the 
first  two  pairs  of  arm  pores,  and  after  that  single;  sharp  and  spine- 
like,  nearly  as  long  as  a  joint.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  yellow- 
brown. 

Locality.  —  Albatross  station  4933,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  30°  59'  N.;  long. 
130°  29'  50"  E.,  152  fathoms,  rocky;  bottom  temperature  56°,  1 
specimen. 

Type.—  Cut.  No.  25536,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4933. 

This  single  small  specimen  is  in  such  poor  condition  that  it  is  a  pity 
to  designate  it  as  the  type  of  a  new  species,  but  nevertheless  it  shows 
clearly  such  distinctive  characters  that  no  other  course  is  open.  The 
mouth  parts  (including  the  oral  shields),  the  very  marked  ridges  on 
which  the  arm  spines  are  borne,  and  the  very  long,  spine-like  tentacle 
scales  are  worthy  of  particular  mention. 

OPHIACANTHA  BATHYBIA,  new  species.a 

Disk  12  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  70  mm.  long.  Disk  more 
or  less  distinctly  pentagonal,  covered'  with  very  minute  thorny 
stumps.  Radial  shields  concealed  but  their  form  and  position  are 
indicated  in  dry  specimens,  through  the  skin  ;  they  are  long,  narrow, 
and  well  separated.  Upper  arm  plates  rounded  triangular,  tending 
to  rhombic,  somewhat  swollen,  about  as  wide  as  long,  all  but  first 
two  well  separated.  Interbrachial  spaces  below  covered  like  the 
disk.  Genital  slits  fairly  large.  Oral  shield  very  much  wider  than 
long,  with  a  somewhat  rounded  proximal  angle  and  distal  side  only 
slightly  convex.  Adoral  plates  large,  three  times  as  long  as  wide, 
meeting  broadly  within;  usually  they  partly  inclose  the  oral  shield, 
sending  a  branch  down  between  it  and  the  side  arm  plate;  some- 
times, however,  they  are  wholly  proximal  to  the  oral  shield  which  is 
then  in  contact  with  the  side  arm  plate.  Oral  papillae  three  or  four 
on  a  side,  with  sometimes  an  odd  one  at  apex  of  jaw;  outermost  flat, 
wide,  and  truncate;  others  narrower,  thicker,  and  more  pointed. 
First  under  arm  plate  oblong,  nearly  twice  as  wide  as  long,  barely  in 
contact  with  second  which  is  broadly  pentagonal  or  triangular,  very 
wide  distally,  with  a  somewhat  curved  margin;  succeeding  plates 
similar  but  smaller,  and  relatively  longer,  well  separated.  Side  arm 


uf  ,  signifying  deep,  and  /2/of,  signifying  life,  in  reference  to  the  great  depth 
at  which  it  lives. 


234 


BULLETIN   75,  UNITED  STATES  NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 


plates  moderate,  meeting  both  above  and  below;  each  plate  carries 
half  a  dozen  slender,  sharp  spines,  the  uppermost  longest  and  exceed- 
ing three  j  oints ;  the  two  upper  spines  are  smooth  but  the  lower  ones 
are  rough  near  the  tip.  Tentacle  scales  single,  small,  spiniform,  and 
sharp.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  whitish,  yellowish,  or  grayish. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  2859,  off  Alaska,  lat.  55°  20'  N.j  long. 
136°  20'  W.,  1,569  fathoms,  gray  ooze,  bottom  temperature  34. 9°,  183 
specimens;  station  2860,  off  British  Columbia,  lat.  51°  23'  N.;  long. 
130°  34'  W.,  876  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  36.5°, 
11  specimens;  station  3603,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  55°  23'  N.;  long.  170° 
31'  W.,  1,771  fathoms,  brown  ooze,  bottom  temperature  35.1°,  3 

specimens;  station 
4761,  off  Shumagin  Is- 
lands, lat.  53°  57'  30" 
N.;  long.  159°  31'  W., 
1 ,973  fathoms,  blue 
clay,  bottom  tempera 
ture  35°,  14  specimens; 
station  4766,  Bering 
Sea,  lat.  52°  38'  N.; 
long.  174°  49' W.,  1,766 
fathoms,  character  of 
bottom  and  bottom 
temperature  not  ob- 
served, 117  specimens. 
Bathymetrical  range, 
876  to  1,973  fathoms. 
Temperature  range, 
36.5°  to  34.9°.  Three 
hundred  and  twenty- 
eight  specimens. 

Type.—C  at.      No. 

FIG.  110.— OPHIACANTHA  BATHYBIA.     x  4.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  b,      25541,   U.S.N.M.,    from 

FROM  BELOW;  C,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO  AKM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK.  ,      j_  •  9QKQ 

Although  this  species  has  no  very  distinctive  marks,  it  appears  to 
be  different  from  any  other  known  member  of  OpTiiacantJia.  The 
form  and  position  of  the  adoral  plates  are  unfortunately  not  abso- 
lutely reliable  characters,  but  taken  in  connection  with  others  may 
be  useful.  The  disk  covering,  the  upper  arm  plates,  the  arm  spines, 
and  the  tentacle  scales  are  the  most  important  characters  in  that 
connection.  The  species  seems  to  be  a  typically  abyssal  ophiuran 
and  it  is  rather  remarkable  that  it  is  so  little  differentiated  from  more 
shallow-water  species. 


NORTH   PACIFIC   OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK.       235 

OPHIACANTHA  LEUCOSTICTA,  new  species.o 

Disk  17  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  70  mm.  long.  Disk  covered 
with  a  thin,  uncalcified  skin,  which  appears  to  be  speckled  with  both 
black  and  white ;  examination  with  a  lens  shows  that  the  black  spots 
are  due  to  organic  tissue  on  the  inner  surface  of  the  skin,  while  the 
white  spots  are  due  to  minute,  elongated  calcareous  granules;  these 
granules  are  borne  by  plates  which  for  the  most  part  have  a  diameter 
scarcely  exceeding  that  of  the  granules,  but  around  the  radial  shields 
they  are  developed  into  ordinary  overlapping  scales.  Radial  shields 
rather  large,  distinctly  separated,  the  distal  half  exposed  but  bearing 
on  the  outer  margin  one  or  more  elongated  granules.  Upper  arm 
plates  rounded,  hexagonal,  or  elliptical,  much  wider  than  long,  more 


FIG.  111.— OPHIACANTHA  LEUCOSTICTA.    x  3.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  ft,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  THREE  ARM  JOINTS 

NEAR  MIDDLE   OF  ABM,  SEEN  FROM  BELOW;    d,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO  ARM   JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

or  less  in  contact  with  each  other,  at  least  on  basal  part  of  arm. 
Interbrachial  space  below  like  disk  above.  Genital  slits  large. 
Oral  shields  somewhat  rhombic,  twice  as  wide  as  long.  Adoral  plates 
moderate,  short  and  wide,  hardly  meeting  within.  Oral  papillae 
three  on  a  side,  broad,  flat,  rounded.  Teeth  very  large  and  con- 
spicuous. First  under  arm  plate  hexagonal,  about  as  long  as  wide; 
succeeding  plates  more  or  less  octagonal  and  longer  than  broad,  but 
rapidly  becoming  hexagonal,  tetragonal,  or  rounded  and  much  wider 
than  long;  the  first  two  or  three  are  in  contact,  but  the  succeed  ing 
plates  appear  to  be  separated  by  a  depression;  whether  the  side 
arm  plates  meet  in  this  depression,  or  whether  it  is  a  proximal  pro- 

,  signifying  white-spotted,  in  reference  to  the  appearance  of  the  disk. 


236  BULLETIN   75,   UNITED  STATES   NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 

longation  of  the  under  arm  plates,  or  whether  its  floor  is  formed 
simply  of  connective  tissue,  is  not  clear  from  an  external  examina- 
tion of  the  dry  specimen.  Side  arm  plates  very  short  and  separated 
from  each  other  by  an  area  of  bare,  uncalcified  skin,  as  wide  as  them- 
selves; each  plate  carries  a  conspicuous  vertical  ridge  on  which  are 
borne  seven  or  eight  arm  spines;  of  these  the  four  or  five  uppermost 
are  stout,  smooth,  and  blunt,  the  two  middle  ones  longest  and  nearly 
equaling  two  joints;  the  three  or  four  lowest  spines  are  very  much 
smaller  than  the  upper  ones,  are  rough  or  hooked  at  the  tip,  and 
practically  serve  as  tentacle-scales  (see  fig.  lllc).  Tentacle  pores 
very  large ;  first  one  usually  with  no  .tentacle  scale,  but  sometimes 
with  a  small  one ;  next  three  pairs  of  pores  with  a  single  well-marked 
scale  on  the  side  arm  plate  but  not  on  the  spine-bearing  ridge; 
beyond  the  fourth  pair  of  pores,  the  tentacle  scales  are  replaced  by 
the  lowest  arm  spines.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  disk  deep  brown, 
finely  speckled  with  white  and  black;  radial  shields  and  adjoining 
scales  yellowish- white;  arms  light  drab;  oral  surface  yellowish- white, 
except  for  the  brown  interbrachial  spaces. 

Locality. — Albatross  station  4980,  off  eastern  Japan,  lat.  34°  9'  N.; 
long.  137°  55'  E.,  507  fathoms,  brown  mud,  fine  sand,  foraminifera, 
bottom  temperature  39°,  4  specimens. 

Type.— Cat.  No.  25549  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4980. 

This  remarkable  ophiuran  is  almost  certainly  entitled  to  be  the 
type  of  a  new  genus,  the  large  amount  of  uncalcified  skin  and  the 
peculiar  condition  of  arm  spines  and  tentacle  scales  furnishing  good 
generic  characters.  But  until  Ophiacantha  is  more  carefully  revised 
and  the  limits  of  its  component  genera  better  understood,  I  think 
this  species  may  well  rest  therein.  It  is  not  likely  to  be  mistaken 
for  any  of  the  now  known  species  of  that  genus. 

OPHIACANTHA  MACRARTHRA,  new  species.a 

Disk  2  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  7  mm.  long.  Disk  covered 
with  few  coarse  scales,  upon  which  are  borne  some  minute  stumps, 
more  or  less  elongated,  conical,  and  with  several  terminal  teeth. 
Radial  shields  hardly  distinguishable  from  the  other  disk  scales, 
closely  joined.  Upper  arm  plates  minute,  triangular  or  rhombic, 
widely  separated.  Interbrachial  spaces  below  like  disk  above. 
Genital  slits  very  large.  Oral  shield  large,  wider  than  long,  dis tally 
rounded  but  with  a  proximal  angle.  Adoral  plates  large,  L-shaped, 
meeting  within  and  separating  the  oral  shield  from  the  side  arm 
plate;  oral  plates  rather  large.  Oral  papillse  three  on  a  side  and  one 
at  apex  of  jaw;  latter  much  the  largest,  broad,  flat,  pointed;  outer- 

a  MaKpdf,  signifying  long,  and  dpdpov,  signifying  joint,  in  reference  to  the  very  long 
arm  joints. 


NORTH   PACIFIC    OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK.       237 

most  papilla  (perhaps  more  properly  the  tentacle  scale  of  the  outer 
oral  tentacle)  very  long,  slender,  spiniform,  and  acute;  the  other  two 
are  similar  but  shorter.  First  under  arm  plate  very  large,  hexagonal, 
a  little  broader  than  long;  second  plate  larger,  pentagonal,  much 
broader  than  long;  third  plate  smaller  than  second  but  similar; 
succeeding  plates  similar  but  much  smaller  and  tending  to  become 
squarish;  all  the  plates  are  widely  separated.  Side  arm  plates  very 
large,  all  but  first  two  or  three  pairs  much  longer  than  high,  meeting 
broadly  both  above  and  below;  each  plate  carries  three  arm  spines, 
of  which  the  uppermost  is  smooth,  acute,  and  equals  the  joint,  while 
the  lower  two  are  shorter  and  rough  at  the  tip.  Tentacle  pores  large; 
tentacle  scale  single, small, 
spiniform.  Color 
from  alcohol), 
whitish. 

Locality. — Albatross  sta- 
tion 4775,  Bering  Sea,  lat. 
54°  33' 30"  N.;  long.  178° 
44'  E.,  584  fathoms,  green 
mud,  black  specks,  foram- 
inifera,  bottom  tempera- 


(dried 
dirty- 


ture  37.2°,  1  specimen. 

Type.— Cat.  No.  25739, 
U.S.N.M.,  from  station 
4775. 

Although  there  is  every 
indication  that  this  speci- 
men is  very  young  (except 
the  size  of  the  genital 
slits),  it  reveals  certain 
characters  that  are  so  dis- 
tinctive it  seems  best  to 
give  it  a  name.  The 
mouth  parts  and  the  un- 
usually long  (for  this  family)  side  arm  plates  are  quite  remarkable 
and  will  make  the  species  easy  to  recognize. 

OPHIACANTHA  MEGATRETA,  new  species.o 

Disk  wanting,  but  judging  from  the  .scars  on  bases  of  arms,  it  was 
about  25  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  115  mm.  long,  beyond  disk 
scars.  Upper  arm  plates  more  or  less  rhombic,  with  rounded  angles, 


FIG.  112.— OPHIACANTHA  MACRAKTHRA.    x  25.   a,  FROM  ABOVE; 
b,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO  ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 


,  signifying  big,  and  Tpyrfa,  signifying  pierced  through',  that  is,  with  big  holes, 
in  reference  to  the  conspicuous  tentacle  pores. 


238 


BULLETIN   75,   UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 


as  long  as  wide  (except  at  base  of  arm)  or  longer,  overlapping  or  in 
contact  on  basal  half  of  arm,  but  becoming  separated  distally.  Inter- 
brachial  space  below  with  scales,  at  least  near  oral  shield.  Genital 
slits  large.  Oral  shield  as  long  as  wide  or  longer,  rounded  heptagonal 
(in  smaller  specimen,  oral  shield  rhombic  with  rounded  angles,  dis- 
tinctly wider  than  long).  Adoral  plates  large,  L-shaped,  meeting 
within,  completely  separating  the  oral  shield  from  side  arm  plate  (in 
smaller  specimen,  proximal  or  long  arm  of  the  L  more  or  less  aborted 
and  consequently  not  meeting  within).  Oral  papillae  five  or  six  on  a 
side,  thick,  blunt,  crowded;  distal  to  them,  and  attached  to  adoral 
plate,  are  several  small  spine-like  papillae,  which  are  the  tentacle 
scales  of  the  huge  oral  tentacles  (second  pair).  First  under  arm 

plate  moderate,  wider 
than  long  and  widest 
proximally ;  succeeding 
plates  hexagonal  or  pen- 
tagonal, rounded  distally, 
much  wider  distally  than 
proximally,  at  first  wider 
than  long,  but  rapidly  be- 
coming much  longer  than 
wide ;  distal  end  somewhat 
swollen  and  elevated;  all 
the  plates  except  first 
two  well  separated  from 
each  other.  Side  arm 
plates  low  and  moder- 
ately long,  scarcely  meet- 
ing above,  until  far  out  on 
arm,  meeting  narrowly  be- 
low; each  plate  carries  five 
or  six  long,  slender, 
smooth  spines,  of  which  the  uppermost  (or  next  one)  is  longest, 
equaling  about  two  joints.  Tentacle  pores  very  large;  tentacle  scales 
none.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  whitish. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  4969,  off  eastern  Japan,  lat.  33°  23' 
40"  N.;  long.  135°  33'  E.;  587  fathoms,  brown  mud,  sand,  stones, 
bottom  temperature  38.9°,   1   specimen;    station  4979,  off  eastern 
Japan,  lat.  33°  53'  N.;  long.  137°  42'  E.,  943  fathoms,  brown  mud, 
fine  sand,  foraminifera,  bottom  temperature  36.4°,  1  specimen. 
Type.—Csit.  No.  25596,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4969. 
It  is  both  remarkable  and  unfortunate  that  the  two  specimens  of 
this  interesting  species  should  have  completely  lost  the  disk.     But 


a,  FROM    BE- 


FIG.  113.— OPHIACANTHA  MEGATRETA.     X  2.25. 

LOW;  6,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO  ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK;  C,  UPPER 
VIEW  OF  THREE   ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  MIDDLE   OF  ARM. 


NORTH   PACIFIC   OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL  MUSEUM  —  CLARK.       239 


there  is  no  question  of  their  close  relationship  to  0.  bartletti  Lyman, 
and  they  therefore  belong  in  VerrilFs  genus  Ophiopora,  which  I 
believe  is  probably  a  very  natural  group.  The  only  important  dif- 
ferences between  bartletti  and  megatreta,  which  these  damaged  speci- 
mens show,  is  in  the  shape  of  the  upper  arm  plates  and  in  the  number 
of  arm  spines.  Possibly  perfect  specimens  will  show  differences^  in 
the  disk. 

OPHIOLEBES  ASAPHES,  new  species.o 

Disk  9  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  20  mm.  long.  Disk  more  or 
less  completely  covered  with  rough  unequal  granules  or  low  stumps. 
Radial  shields  long,  narrow,  well  separated,  partly  bare  (along  the 
middle)  or  wholly  con- 
cealed, their  position 
more  or  less  clearly  indi- 
cated. Upper  arm 
plates  rounded,  the  first 
two  or  three  wider  than 
long,  the  others  roughly 
circular;  they  are  well 
separated  from  each 
other,  but  the  side  arm 
plates  do  not  meet  be- 
tween them;  in  many 
places,  though  not  nec- 
essarily on  all  arms,  sup- 
plementary plates  ap- 
pear between  the  upper 
arm  plates;  when  these 
are  not  present  the 
space  is  occupied  by 
uncalcified  tissue.  In- 

terbrachial  spaces   below      FlG-  U4.—  OPHIOLEBES   ASAPHES.    X    6.    a,   FROM  ABOVE;   6, 
,      .  ,  .  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO  ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

covered  with  scales,  upon 

which  a  few  of  the  rough  granules  are  borne.  Genital  slits  short 
and  narrow.  Oral  shield  rounded  rhombic,  very  much  wider  than 
long.  Adoral  plates  large  but  poorly  defined,  wider  without  than 
within,  where  they  do  not  quite  meet.  Oral  papillse  three  on  a  side, 
short,  blunt.  All  the  mouth  parts  are  more  or  less  covered  by  a 
thick  skin,  which  obscures  their  outlines  even  when  dry.  First 
under  arm  plate  large,  wider  than  long  and  wider  within  than  dis- 
tally;  second  and  third  plates  somewhat  pentagonal,  with  distal  side 
notched,  wider  than  long;  succeeding  plates  somewhat  kidney-shaped, 


jf,  signifying  indistinct,  in  reference  to  the  indistinctness  of  many  of  the 


plates. 


240  BULLETIN   75,   UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

wider  than  long;  all  the  under  arm  plates  are  well  separated  from 
each  other,  and  the  side  arm  plates  nearly  or  quite  meet  between 
them.  The  lower  surface  of  the  arm  is,  like  the  mouth  parts,  covered 
by  a  skin  which  obscures  the  outlines  of  the  plates  and  makes  it  very 
hard  to  see  the  sutures.  Side  arm  plates  low  but  rather  long,  meeting 
below  but  not  above;  each  plate  carries  five  short,  thick,  smooth,  blunt 
spines,  of  which  the  uppermost  is  longest,  and  slightly  exceeds  a  joint. 
Tentacle  pores  minute;  tentacle  scales,  none;  the  pores  are  protected 
by  the  lower  end  of  the  arm  spine  ridge  and  the  spines  which  it  bears. 
Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  reddish,  yellowish,  or  grayish-brown. 

Localities.—  Albatross  station  5018,  off  Saghalin,  lat.  46°  41  '  30"  N.  ; 
long.  143°  57'  40"  E.,  100  fathoms,  brown  mud,  black  stones,  peb- 
bles, bottom  temperature  30.4°,  2  specimens;  station  5037,  off  the 
Hokkaido,  lat.  42°  2'  40"  N.;  long.  142°  33'  20"  E.,  175  to  349  fath- 
oms, bottom  temperature  37.9°,  2  specimens;  station  5049,  off 
Kinkwa  San  Light,  lat.  38°  12'  N.  ;  long.  142°  2'  E.,  182  fathoms,  dark 
gray  sand,  broken  shells,  foraminifera,  bottom  temperature  37.8°,  9 
specimens.  Bathymetrical  range,  100  to  349  fathoms.  Temperature 
range  37.9°  to  30.4°.  Thirteen  specimens. 

Type.—  Cat.  No.  25738,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  5018. 

Although  this  species  is  related  to  0.  scorteus  Lyman  it  differs  so 
much  in  its  larger  upper  and  under  arm  plates,  its  shorter  arms,  and 
its  more  slender,  less  blunt,  arm  spines,  that  the  two  can  not  be  con- 
fused. Many  of  the  specimens  from  station  5049  are  clinging  tightly 
to  starfishes  (Henricia)  ;  one  starfish,  only  42  mm.  from  tip  to  tip,  is 
tightly  grasped  over  the  disk  and  base  of  the  arms  by  three  speci- 
mens of  Ophiolebes.  It  would  be  interesting  to  know  whether  this  is 
a  normal  or  accidental  association.  Aside  from  the  differences  in 
color  the  chief  individual  diversity  is  shown  in  the  amount  of  exposure 
of  the  radial  shields;  they  are  sometimes  visible  for  nearly  their 
whole  length,  but  in  the  type  they  are  wholly  concealed  and  other 
specimens  are  intermediate. 

OPHIOLEBES  BRACHYGNATHA,  new  species.o 

Disk  10  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  40  mm.  long.  Disk  covered 
by  numerous  rough,  low,  pointed  stumps.  Radial  shields  more  or  less 
exposed,  long,  very  narrow,  parallel,  and  widely  separated.  Upper 
arm  plates  tetragonal,  with  distal  side  somewhat  curved,  and  much 
longer  than  proximal;  they  are  well  separated  and  between  them  ap- 
pear squarish  supplementary  plates  of  much  smaller  size.  Inter- 
brachial  spaces  below  much  like  disk  above,  but  scaling  shows  more 
distinctly.  Genital  slits  short  but  wide.  Oral  shields  small,  rhombic, 
wider  than  long.  Adoral  plates  rather  large,  curved,  hardly  meeting 


,  signifying  short,  and  pjaffoc,  signifying  jaw,  in  reference  to  the  unusually 
short,  wide  jaws. 


NOKTH   PACIFIC    OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLAKK.       241 

within.  Oral  plates  small  and  so  nearly  parallel  with  adorals  that 
the  jaw  is  somewhat  rounded  and  projects  very  little.  Oral  papillae 
four  on  a  side  and  usually  an  infradental  one  at  apex  of  jaw;  the 
papillae  are  thick  and  blunt,  and  the  outermost  is  clearly  the  largest. 
First  under  arm  plate  very  large,  somewhat  rounded,  hexagonal,  wider 
than  long;  second  plate  somewhat  larger,  pentagonal,  widest  distajlyj 
succeeding  plates  more  rounded,  soon  becoming  elliptical  and  then 
onger  than  broad,  and  ultimately  long  pentagonal  with  distal  end 
rounded;  all  the  under  arm  plates  are  more  or  less  separated  from 


FIG.  115.— OPHIOLEBES  BRACHYGNATHA.    X  5.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  &,FROM  BELOW;  C,SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE 

ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

each  other  except  the  first  two.  Side  arm  plates  moderate,  not  meet- 
ing above  and  only  slightly  so  below;  each  plate  carries  seven  or  eight 
stout,  blunt  arm  spines;  upper  two  longest,  exceeding  joint,  smooth; 
next  two  similar,  but  distinctly  smaller;  lowest  three  or  four  very 
much  smaller,  somewhat  flattened,  and  with  rough  tips;  they  lie  more 
or  less  appressed  to  lower  surface  of  arm,  pointing  distally  and  in- 
ward. Tentacle  pores  small,  first  pair  with  a  more  or  less  prominent 
spiniform  tentacle  scale;  a  few  other  pores  may  have  minute  tentacle 
scales,  but  as  a  rule  the  scales  are  completely  replaced  functionally  by 
the  lowest  arm  spines.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  light  yellowish. 
34916°— Bull.  75—11 16 


242  BULLETIN   75,   UNITED   STATES  NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  4803,  off  Simushir  Island,  lat.  46°  42' 
N. ;  long.  151°  45'  E.,  229  fathoms,  coarse  pebbles,  black  sand,  bottom 
temperature  35.9°,  1  specimen;  station  4804,  off  Simushir  Island,  lat. 
46°  42'  N. ;  long.  151°  47'  E.,  229  fathoms,  coarse  pebbles,  black  sand, 
bottom  temperature  35.9°,  3  specimens. 

Type.— Cat.  No.  25592,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4804. 

This  species  is  in  its  proportions  much  like  vestitus,  but  it  is  not  very 
near  that  species.  The  disk  spinules,  the  arm  spines,  and  the  jaws 
furnish  its  most  distinctive  features. 

OPHIOLEBES  PACHYBACTRA,  new  species.a 

Disk  11  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  35  mm.  long,  probably. 
Disk  covered  with  coarse  scales,  many  of  which  bear  stout  club- 


FIG.  116.—  OPHIOLEBES  PACHYBACTRA.    X  1.5.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO 

ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

shaped  spines,  which  are  much  thicker  at  the  tip  than  at  the  base. 
Radial  shields  moderate,  roughly  triangular,  in  contact  distally  but 
widely  separated  within.  Upper  arm  plates  triangular  or  rhombic, 
much  wider  than  long,  well  separated  from  each  other.  Interbrachial 
spaces  below  covered  by  scales  somewhat  smaller  than  those  of  disk. 
Genital  slits  very  large.  Oral  shields  small,  rounded  rhombic, 


,  signifying  thick,  and  p&crpov,  signifying  club,  in  reference  to  the  very 
thick,  club-like  lower  arm  spines. 


NORTH   PACIFIC   OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM  -  CLARK.       243 

wider  than  long.  Adoral  plates  each  about  as  large  as  oral  shield, 
roughly  pentagonal,  twice  as  long  as  wide;  oral  plates  rather  large. 
Oral  papillae,  three  on  a  side  and  one  at  apex  of  jaw,  rather  thick  and 
club-shaped.  First  under  arm  plate  small,  wider  than  long;  second 
plate  somewhat  triangular,  nearly  as  long  as  wide;  succeeding  plates 
more  pentagonal  or  hexagonal,  as  long  as  wide  or  longer;  all-  -the 
plates,  except  the  first  two,  are  well  separated  from  each  other. 
Side  arm  plates  large,  meeting  above  and  below;  each  plate  carries 
six  stout  arm  spines,  of  which  the  uppermost  is  longest  and  exceeds 
two  joints;  three  lowest  spines  thickened  and  deeply  notched  (ver- 
tically) at  tip,  so  that  each  one  ends  in  two  or  three  blunt  points. 
Tentacle  pores  small;  tentacle  scales  single,  flat,  smooth,  rounded. 
Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  dirty  yellowish-  white. 

Locality.—  Albatross  station  4784,  off  Attu  Island,  lat.  52°  55'  40''' 
N.;  long.  173°  26'  E.,  135  fathoms,  coarse  pebbles,  1  specimen. 

Type.—Csit  No.  25737,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4784. 

This  species  is  so  unlike  any  of  the  preceding  or  any  of  the  previ- 
ously known  species  that  it  can  not  be  confused  with  them,  but  it  is 
very  near  the  following  species  (tylota),  with  which  it  was  taken,  and 
more  abundant  material  may  show  that  it  is  not  specifically  distinct. 

OPHIOLEBES  TYLOTA,  new  species.a 

Disk  10  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  40  mm.  long.  Disk  covered 
with  coarse  scales,  many  of  which  bear  stout,  blunt  spines;  these 
spines  are  thickest  near  base  and  are  sometimes  imperfectly  divided 
or  slightly  branched.  Radial  shields  triangular,  in  contact  at  inner 
distal  angle  but  widely  separated  within.  Upper  arm  plates  rhombic, 
basal  ones  more  or  less  rounded,  about  as  long  as  wide,  well  separated 
from  each  other.  Interbrachial  spaces  below  much  like  disk  above. 
Genital  slits  rather  small.  Oral  shields  rather  small,  rounded 
rhombic,  very  much  wider  than  long.  Adoral  plates  nearly  as  large, 
about  twice  as  long  as  wide;  oral  plates  well  developed.  Oral 
papillae,  three  on  a  side  and  one  at  apex  of  jaw,  long,  thick,  and  blunt. 
First  under  arm  plate  squarish;  second  plate  much  larger,  some- 
what pentagonal,  longer  than  wide;  succeeding  plates  rapidly  becom- 
ing wider  than  long,  with  distal  margin  curved  and  notched  at  the 
middle;  all  plates  except  first  two  separated  from  each  other,  though 
not  always  distinctly.  Side  arm  plates  large,  meeting  above,  but  not 
below,  at  base  of  arm;  each  plate  carries  six  stout  arm  spines,  of 
which  the  uppermost  is  longest  and  nearly  equal  to  three  joints; 
lower  ones  rough  at  tip  and  sometimes  thickened  and  slightly 
notched.  Tentacle  pores  moderate  ;  tentacle  scale  single,  flat,  some- 
what elongated,  smooth,  rounded  at  tip.  Color  (dried  from  alaohol), 
whitish,  yellow,  dirty  brownish,  or  bright  brown. 


,  signifying  knobbed,  in  reference  to  the  thick  disk  spines  and  lowest 
arm  spines. 


244 


BULLETIN   75,   UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 


Localities. — Albatross  station  3599,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  52°  5'  N.; 
long.  177°  40'  E.,  55  fathoms,  rocky,  fine  sand,  shells,  56  specimens; 
station  3785,  Bering  Sea,  north  of  Rat  Islands,  270  fathoms,  gray 
sand,  broken  shells,  1  specimen;  station  4771,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54° 
30'  N.;  long.  179°  17'  E.,  426  fathoms,  broken  shells,  2  specimens; 
station  4781,  off  Agattu  Island,  lat.  52°  14'  30"  N.;  long.  174°  13'  E., 
482  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  38.6°, 
22  specimens;  station  4782,  off  Attu  Island,  lat.  52°  55'  N.;  long. 
173°  27'  E.,  57  to  59  fathoms,  rocks,  gravel,  2  specimens;  station  4784, 
off  Attu  Island,  lat.  52°  55'  40"  N.;  long.  173°  26'  E.,  135  fathoms, 
coarse  pebbles,  14  specimens;  station  4809,  Sea  of  Japan,  lat.  41° 
18'  N.;  long.  140°  8'  40"  E.,  90  to  207  fathoms,  gray  sand,  pebbles, 
broken  shells,  4  specimens.  Bathymetrical  range,  55  to  482  fathoms. 


FIG.  117.— OPHTOLEBES  TYLOTA.    x  5.  a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO  ARM  JOINTS 

NEAR  DISK. 

Temperature  range,    ?  to  38.6°.     One  hundred  and  one  specimens. 

Type.— Cat.  No.  25726,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  3599. 

The  characteristic  disk-covering  and  arm  spines  are  quite  sufficient 
to  distinguish  this  from  any  of  the  other  species,  but  it  must  be  con- 
fessed that  the  preceding  species  (pachylactra}  is  very  closely  related. 
The  differences  shown  by  the  arm  spines  are  of  degree  rather  than  of 
kind,  but  I  find  it  hard  to  believe  that  the  same  is  true  of  the  disk 
spines.  Possibly  pachylactra  is  a  "mutant"  from  tylota.  The 
specimens  from  station  4809  are  almost  exactly  like  those  from 
station  3785,  but  have  the  disk  spines  much  shorter  than  in  the  type. 
It  is  remarkable  that  this  species  should  have  been  taken  so  far 
south  as  at  station  4809,  and  one  can  not  avoid  suspecting  the  label. 


NORTH   PACIFIC   OPHIURANS  IN    NATIONAL  MUSEtJM — CLARK.      245 


OPHIOLEBES  DIAPHORA,  new  species.a 

Disk  11  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  35  mm.  long.  Disk  covered 
by  thick,  rounded  plates  of  variable  size,  upon  and  among  which  are 
scattered  numerous  coarse,  rounded  granules,  which  are  largest 
around  the  radial  shields.  Radial  shields  large,  oval,  widely  sep- 
arated from  each  other.  Upper  arm  plates  rhombic,  about  as  long 
as  wide.  Interbrachial  spaces  below  covered  by  rounded  plates  and 
granules  like  those  of  disk.  Genital  slits  inconspicuous.  Oral 
shields  very  small,  rounded  pentagonal,  about  as  long  as  wide. 
Adoral  plates  twice  as  long  as  wide;  oral  plates  moderate;  all  of 
these  plates  about  the  mouth 
are  indistinct,  due  to  the 
skin  which  covers  them. 
Oral  papillae  four  on  a  side 
and  one  at  apex  of  jaw; 
thick  and  rounded,  or 
pointed  at  tip;  outermost 
papilla  much  the  largest. 
First  under  arm  plate 
small,  thick,  squarish,  or 
rounded;  succeeding  plates 
thick  and  swollen  and  poorly 
defined,  on  account  of  the 
skin  covering.  They  seem 
to  be  wider  than  long,  but 
their  exact  shape  is  hard  to 
determine;  all  but  the  first 
two  seem  to  be  separated 
from  each  other.  Side  arm 
plates  moderate,  meeting 
slightly  above  but  not  below, 
somewhat  thick  and  swol- 
len. Each  plate  carries  five 
to  seven  short,  thick,  blunt 
spines,  of  which  the  up- 
permost or  next  lower  is  longest  and  equals  a  joint  and  a  half; 
lower  spines  short  and  very  stout,  with  rough,  prickly  tips;  lowest 
spine  may  be  almost  spherical.  Tentacle  pores  small;  tentacle  scale 
single,  large,  rounded,  but  rough  at  tip.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol), 
yellowish  or  yellowish-brown. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  3599,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  52°  5'  N.;  long. 
177°  40'  E.,  55  fathoms,  rocky,  fine  sand,  shells,  4  specimens;  station 
4779,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  52°  II'  N. ;  long.  179°  57'  W.,  54  to  56  fathoms, 


C 

FIG.  118.— OPHIOLEBES  DIAPHORA.  X  4.5.  a, FROM  ABOVE; 
b,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO  ARM  JOINTS  NEAR 
DISK. 


a  Aca(f)opo£,  signifying  different. 


246 


BULLETIN   75,  UNITED  STATES  NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 


broken  shells,  pebbles,  sand,  2  specimens;  station  4781,  off  Agattu 
Island,  lat.  52°  14'  30"  N.;  long.  174°  13'  E.,  482  fathoms,  fine 
gray  sand,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  38.6°,  8  specimens;  station 
4784,  off  Attu  Island,  lat.  52°  55'  40"  N.;  long.  173°  26'  E.,  135 
fathoms,  coarse  pebbles,  7  specimens.  Bathymetrical  range,  54  to 
482  fathoms.  Temperature  range,  ?  to  38.6°.  Twenty-one  specimens. 

Type. — Cat.  No.  25721,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  3599. 

Although  the  type  of  this  species  comes  from  the  same  station 
where  that  of  tylota  was  taken,  the  two  species  are  so  unlike  they 
can  not  be  confused.  Specimens  of  diaphom  show  great  diversity 
in  the  number  of  disk  granules  and  arm  spines,  in  the  size  and  form 
of  the  radial  shields,  which  may  be  quite  small  and  indistinct  in 


FIG.  119.— OPHIOLEBES  PAUCISPINA.    X  7.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  ft,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO 

ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

small  specimens,  and  in  the  degree  to  which  the  plates  and  the 
lower  arm  spines  are  swollen,  but  their  identification  is  rarely  diffi- 
cult. Young  specimens  might,  however,  be  confused  with  the  next 
species,  owing  to  their  having  only  four  or  five  arm  spines  and  few 
disk  granules. 

OPHIOLEBES  PAUCISPINA,  new  species.a 

Disk  7  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  22  mm.  long.  Disk  covered 
with  coarse,  thick  scales,  some  of  which  bear  rounded  granules. 
Radial  shields  moderate,  rounded,  well  separated  from  each  other. 
Upper  arm  plates  thick  and  more  or  less  swollen,  rounded,  triangular 
or  rhombic;  except  first  two,  separated  from  each  other.  Inter- 

a  Pauci,  signifying  few,  and  spinus,  signifying  a  spine,  in  reference  to  the  small 
number  of  arm  spines. 


NORTH   PACIFIC   OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK.       247 

brachial  spaces  below  covered  by  coarse  scales.  Genital  slits  large. 
Oral  shields  rhombic,  wider  than  long.  Adoral  plates  thick,  about 
twice  as  long  as  wide;  oral  plates  small.  Oral  papillae,  three  on  a 
side  and  one  at  apex,  thick  and  blunt,  outermost  largest.  Under 
arm  plates  tetragonal,  much  wider  than  long,  the  distal  margin  with 
more  or  less  of  a  median  notch;  well  separated  from  each  other. 
Side  arm  plates  large  and  somewhat  swollen,  meeting  above  and 
below.  Each  plate  carries  four  short,  thick,  smooth  arm  spines,  of 
which  the  uppermost  or  next  lower  is  the  longest,  and  hardly  exceeds 
a  joint.  Tentacle  pores  minute  or  wanting;  tentacle  scale  single, 
large,  thick,  rounded  or  bluntly  pointed.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol), 
yellowish-brown. 

Localities— Albatross  station  2858,  off  Alaska,  lat.  58°  17'  N.;  long. 
148°  36'  W.,  230  fathoms,  blue  mud,  gravel,  bottom  temperature 
39.8°,  2  specimens;  station  3480,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  52°  6'  K;  long. 
171°  45'  W.,  283  fathoms,  black  sand,  coral,  rocky,  26  specimens; 
station  4781,  off  Agattu  Island,  lat.  52°  14'  30"  N.;  long.  174°  13' 
E.,  482  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  38.6°, 
2  specimens. 

Type.—C&t.  No.  25620,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  3480. 

There  is  an  excellent  series  of  this  species,  showing  a  range  in  disk 
diameter  from  4  to  10  mm.  All  the  specimens  agree  in  number  and 
character  of  arm  spines,  so  that  this  may  well  be  considered  the 
distinguishing  mark  of  the  species.  Small  specimens  of  diapTiora, 
with  only  four  or  five  arm  spines,  are  hard  to  separate  from  pau- 
cispina,  though  the  thicker  granulation  of  the  disk  and  the  shape 
of  the  under  arm  plates  will  usually  distinguish  them.  The  adults 
can  not  be  confused. 

OPHIOLEBES  BREVISPINA,  new  species,  a 

Disk  8  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  20  mm.  long.  Disk  covered 
with  thick,  irregular,  overlapping  scales,  showing  no  very  definite 
arrangement  and  without  granules  or  spines.  Radial  shields  moder- 
ate, rounded,  widely  separated.  Upper  arm  plates  rounded,  swollen, 
much  wider  than  long,  nearly  or  quite  in  contact  on  basal  half  of  arm. 
Interbrachial  spaces  below,  covered  by  thick  scales.  Genital  slits 
short.  Oral  shields  rhombic  or  pentagonal,  about  as  long  as  wide. 
Adoral  plates  short  and  very  wide,  with  inner  ends  rounded;  oral 
plates  large.  Oral  papillse  three  on  a  side  and  one  at  apex  of  jaw, 
rounded  or  pointed  at  tip,  outermost  largest.  Under  arm  plates 
tetragonal  or  pentagonal,  wider  than  long,  all  but  first  two  widely 
separated  from  each  other.  Side  arm  plates  large,  more  or  less 
swollen,  meeting  below  and  nearly  or  quite  meeting  above;  each  plate 

o  Brevis,  signifying  short,  and  spinus,  signifying  a  spine,  in  reference  to  the  very  short 
arm  spines. 


248 


BULLETIN   75,   UNITED  STATES  NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 


carries  three  or  four  small,  very  stout,  blunt  spines,  of  which  the  next 
to  the  lowest  is  longest,  but  scarcely  equals  half  a  joint.  Tentacle 
pores  apparently  wanting,  but  tentacle  scales  well  developed,  single, 
thick  and  blunt  or  pointed.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  yellowish- 
brown. 

Locality.  —  Albatross  station  3480,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  52°  6'  N.;  long. 
171°  45'  W.,  283  fathoms,  black  sand,  coral,  rocky,  22  specimens. 

Type.—  Cat.  No.  25736, 
U.S.N.M.,  from  station 
3480. 

It  is  a  curious  coinci- 
dence that  we  should 
have  here  another  case 
of  a  new  species  of  Ophi- 
olebes  from  the  same  sta- 
tion as  its  nearest  rela- 
tive, the  type  of  0.  pauci- 
spina  having  come  from 
station  3480.  There  does 
not  seem  to  be  any  room 
for  doubt,  however,  that 
the  two  species  are  really 
distinct,  for  the  differ- 
ences in  disk  covering 
and  in  arm  spines  are 
very  marked  and  appear 
to  be  perfectly  constant. 
The  foregoing  seven 
species  deserve  a  word  of 
comment,  as  they  form 
quite  a  homogeneous 
group,  apparently  char- 
acteristic of  the  Aleutian 
Island  region  and  north- 
ern-^ Japan.  The  two 

_  • 

JapSftfeSe      S  P  6  C  1  6  S      &T& 

easuVdistinguished  from 

1,1 

the  others  by  the  long  and 
narrow  radial  shields.  It  is  somewhat  remarkable  tnat  none  of  the 
Aleutian  species  extends  southward  on  the  American  coast.  All  of 
the  species  have  the  plates  more  or  less  covered  by  skin,  but  the 
extent  to  which  they  are  obscured  varies  with  the  individual.  As 
the  drawings  and  descriptions  have  been  made  from  dried  specimens, 
little  attention  has  been  paid  to  this  character. 


FIG.  120.  —  OPHIOLEBES  BEEVISPINA.    c,  YOUNG  SPECIMEN,  FKOM 

ABOVE,  X  8.   6,  ADULT,  FROM  ABOVE,  X  6.   C,  FROM  BE- 

LOW,  x  e.  d,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE  ARM  JOINTS  OF  ADULT 

NEAR  DISK,  X  6. 


NORTH   PACIFIC   OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM — CLARK.       249 
OPHIOPHRURA,  new  genus.a 

Disk  covered  with  a  smooth  coat  of  fine  scales,  entirely  concealing 
the  radial  shields;  oral  tentacle  scales  very  long  and  conspicuous; 
tentacle  scales  of  arm  numerous,  three  or  four  guarding  each  pore; 
otherwise  as  in  Ophiacantha. 

Type-species. — Ophiophrura  liodisca. 

Although  obviously  related  to  Ophiacanfha,  the  following  species 
is  so  well  characterized  it  seems  to  me  best  to  make  it  the  type  of  a 
new  genus.  The  smooth,  finely  scaled  disk,  without  an  external 
hint  of  radial  shields,  looks  very  different  from  any  OpJiiacantha  I 
have  seen,  while  the  very  long  spine-like  scales  at  the  distal  ends  of 
the  mouth  slits  and  the  numerous  tentacle  scales  give  the  oral  surface 
an  equally  characteristic  appearance. 


FIG.  121.— OPHIOPHKURA  LIODISCA.    x  6.    «,  FROM  ABOVE;  b,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE  ARM 

JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

OPHIOPHRURA  LIODISCA,  new  species.^ 

Disk  8  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  20  to  25  mm.  long,  probably. 
Disk  covered  with  a  smooth  coat  of  very  fine  scales  which  entirely 
conceal  the  radial  shields.  Upper  arm  plates  rhomboidal  with  distal 
angle  rounded,  about  as  long  as  wide;  basal  ones  nearly  or  quite  in 
contact,  but  middle  and  distal  ones  well  separated.  Interbrachial 
spaces  below  covered  like  disk  by  fine  scales.  Genital  slits  large. 
Oral  shields  pentagonal,  nearly  as  long  as  wide,  disto-lateral  sides 
concave.  Adoral  plates  narrow  and  meeting  within,  broad  without 
and  separating  oral  shield  from  first  side  arm  plate;  oral  plates  long 
and  narrow.  Oral  papillsB  numerous,  nine  or  ten  on  a  side,  of  which 

a"0<f>to  and  (frpouph,  signifying  a  guard,  in  reference  to  the  numerous  tentacle  scales. 
b  Aioc,  signifying  smooth,  and  diaxoft  signifying  disk,  in  reference  to  the  absence 
of  all  spines  and  granules  from  the  disk. 


250  BULLETIN   *75,  UNITED  STATES   NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 

the  three  distalmost  are  long,  flat,  pointed  spines,  serving  as  oral 
tentacle  scales;  remaining  six  or  seven,  small,  narrow,  and  sharp. 
(The  contrast  between  the  inner  and  outer  oral  papillae  is  not  quite  so 
abrupt  as  appears  in  fig.  1216.)  First  under  arm  plate  small,  thimble- 
shaped,  longer  than  wide;  succeeding  plates  hexagonal  or  heptagonal, 
longer  than  wide,  more  or  less  in  contact.  (The  change  in  form  in 
the  under  arm  plates  in  fig.  1216,  by  which  they  become  wider  than 
long,  is  a  mistake.)  Side  arm  plates  moderate,  meeting  narrowly  or 
not  at  all  above,  and  not  at  all  below;  each  plate  carries  four  flat- 
tened, hollow,  fragile,  bluntly  pointed  arm  spines,  of  which  the 
uppermost  is  longest  and  nearly  equals  two  joints.  Tentacle  pores 
large,  each  one  protected  by  three  or  four  sharp,  spiniform  scales,  of 
which  one  is  on  the  under,  the  others  on  the  side,  arm  plate.  Color 
(dried  from  alcohol),  disk  grayish,  arms  and  oral  surface  dirty 
whitish. 

Locality.  —  Albatross  station  5079,  off  Omai  Saki  Light,  lat.  34°  15' 
N.  ;  long.  138°  E.,  475  to  505  fathoms,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature 
39.1°,  1  specimen. 

Type.—  Cat.  No.  25672,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  5079. 

It  is  unfortunate  that  only  a  single  specimen  of  this  interesting 
species  is  in  the  collection.  It  will  not  go  into  any  of  VerrilFs  sub- 
divisions of  Ophiacanfha,  nor  into  any  of  the  related  genera. 

OPHIURASES,  new  genus.« 

Disk  composed  of  five  radial  wedge-shaped  divisions,  each  of  which 
is  covered  by  a  pair  of  large  radial  shields,  the  primary  radial  plate 
and  two  or  three  high  rounded  granules  between  the  radial  shields; 
the  primary  central  and  interradial  plates  are  also  well  marked. 
Mouth  parts  and  arms  much  as  in  Ophiolebes. 

Type-species.  —  OpJiioceramis  (  ?)  obstricta  Lyman. 

That  Lyman  was  in  doubt  as  to  the  true  relationships  of  this 
species  is  evident  from  the  question  mark  with  which  he  wrote  the 
generic  name.  It  seems  to  me  that  its  relationships  are  with  OpJiio- 
lebes,  rather  than  with  the  Ophiolepididae,  for  it  agrees  with  that 
genus  in  its  habits  and  arm  structure  very  closely.  But  the  differ- 
ence in  the  disk  is  so  marked,  a  new  genus  seems  to  be  necessary. 
Koehler's  Ophiogyptis  is,  I  think,  nearly  related,  but  the  under  sur- 
face of  the  arms  in  that  genus  is  quite  different. 

OPHIURASES  OBSTRICTUS. 

Ophioceramis  (?)  obstricta  LYMAN,  Bull.  Mus.  Comp.  ZooL,  vol.  5,  1878,  p.  124. 

Localities.—  Albatross  station  4890,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  26'  30" 
N.;  long.  128°  36'  30"  E.,  135  fathoms,  rocky,  bottom  temperature 


and  afe,  signifying  moth,  in  reference  to  the  fanciful  resemblance  to 
a  thick-bodied  moth  at  rest,  of  the  radial  wedges  which  compose  the  disk  (fig.  122a). 


NORTH   PACIFIC   OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK.       251 

52.3°,  1  specimen;  station  4893,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  32'  N.;  long. 
128°  32'  50"  E.,  95  to  106  fathoms,  gray  sand,  broken  shells,  pebbles, 
bottom  temperature  55.9°,  1  specimen;  station  4895,  Eastern  Sea, 
lat.  32°  33'  10"  N.;  long.  128°  32'  10"  E.,  95  fathoms,  green  sand, 
broken  shells,  pebbles,  2  specimens;  station  4936,  Eastern  Sea,  lat. 
30°  54'  40"  N.;  long.  130°  37'  30"  E.,  103  fathoms,  stones, -bottom 
temperature  60.6°,  2  specimens.  Bathymetrical  range,  95  to  135 
fathoms.  Temperature  range,  60.6°  to  52.3°.  Six  specimens. 

Comparison  of  these  individuals  with  a  cotype  of  Lyman's  in  the 
Museum  of  Comparative  Zoology  collection  leaves  no  room  for 
doubt  that  they  are  identical.  The  Albatross  specimens  were  taken 
clinging  to  sponges,  hydroids,  and  corals,  so  that  their  habits  seem 
to  resemble  those  of  Ophiolebes  and  some  allied  genera.  As  the 
figures  given  in  the  Challenger  Ophiuroidea  a  do  not  agree  either  with 


FIG.  122.— OPHIURASES  OBSTRICTUS.    X  10.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;   b,  FROM  BELOW;   c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO 

ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

Ly man's  description  or  with  any  of  the  specimens  before  me,  it  seems 
best  to  give  new  figures  of  this  interesting  little  species.  If  I  did 
not  have  a  Challenger  cotype  for  comparison,  I  should  not  criticise 
Lyman's  figures,  but  should  suppose  I  had  a  different  species.  As 
it  is,  I  think  Ionian's  fig.  2  is  erroneous  in  having  the  radial  shields 
separated  interradially,  as  well  as  radially  by  squarish  plates,  and  his 
fig.  1  has  the  under  arm  plates  very  different  from  any  specimen  I 
have  seen.  In  the  figures  given  herewith  the  real  appearance  of 
both  surfaces  may  be  seen.  It  might  be  suggested  that  Lyman's 
figures  were  drawn  from  a  larger  and  more  mature  specimen  than 
those  here  given,  but  he  gives  the  disk  diameter  as  4  mm.  and  does 
not  speak  of  any  larger  specimens.  He  refers  to  the  first  under  arm 
plate  as  " rounded  and  conspicuous;"  it  is  not  so  in  any  of  the  spec- 

«  Plate  11,  figs.  1-3. 


252  BULLETIN   'IS,   UNITED  STATES  NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 

imens  before  me.  He  calls  the  arm  spines  "blunt,"  while  they  seem 
to  me  to  be  unusually  sharp.  He  says  the  "color  in  alcohol"  is 
"pale  brown;"  all  the  specimens  before  me  have  the  radial  shields 
and  bands  on  the  arms  grayish,  the  rest  of  the  animal  whitish;  the 
degree  of  contrast  varies  much  in  different  specimens,  but  is  usually 
very  slight. 

OPHIOLOGIMUS,  new  genus/* 

Disk  covered  by  a  fine  coat  of  scales,  more  or  less  concealed  by 
thin  skin;  both  skin  and  scales  extend  out  on  base  of  arms.  No  visi- 
ble radial  shields.  Upper  and  under  arm  plates  well  developed.  Ten- 
tacle scales  present.  Oral  papillae  numerous,  but  arm  spines  few. 

Type-species . — OpJiiologimus  Jiexactis . 

This  genus  may  be  defined  as  OpJiioscolex  with  well-developed  upper 
arm  plates,  a  definition  used  by  Lyman  for  OpTiiotoma.  Ophiolo- 
gimus  differs  from  OpJiiotoma  very  markedly,  however,  not  only  in 


FIG.  123.—  OPHIOLOGIMUS  HEXACTIS.    X  10.    c,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  THREE 

ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

disk  covering  but  especially  in  the  presence  of  well-developed  tentacle 
scales. 

OPHIOLOGIMUS  HEXACTIS,  new  species.6 

Disk  5  mm.  in  diameter;  arms,  six,  about  20  mm.  long.  Disk 
covered  by  a  close  coat  of  fine  scales,  more  or  less  concealed  by  skin. 
No  visible  radial  shields.  Bases  of  arms  covered  like  disk.  Upper 
arm  plates  thin  but  well  developed,  rhombic  with  distal  angle  rounded, 
longer  than  wide,  more  or  less  overlapping.  Interbrachial  spaces 
below  covered  by  skin,  which  contains,  peripherally,  scattered  scales. 
Genital  slits  rather  small.  Oral  shields  rounded  triangular,  wider 
than  long.  Adoral  plates  large,  three  times  as  long  as  wide,  meeting 
broadly  within  and  separating  oral  shield  from  first  under  arm  plate 
without;  oral  plates  indistinct.  Oral  papillae  numerous,  very  small, 
thin  and  truncate;  outer  ones  largest.  First  under  arm  plate  pen- 


a"0(f)£o  and  Ao^o^,  signifying  worthy  of  mention,  remarkable. 

b"E£,  signifying  six,  and  d/cr^-,  signifying  ray,  in  reference  to  the  number  of  arms. 


NORTH   PACIFIC    OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK.       253 

tagonal;  succeeding  plates  pentagonal,  quickly  becoming  tetragonal, 
with  distal  side  convex;  all  are  longer  than  wide  and  more  or  less 
fully  in  contact.  Side  arm  plates  small,  not  meeting  either  above  or 
below;  each  plate  carries  three  hollow,  flat,  smooth,  bluntly  pointed, 
subequal  arm  spines,  about  as  long  as  a  joint.  Tentacle  pores 
large,  each  one  guarded  by  two  flat,  thin,  rounded,  subequal  scales.. 
Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  pale  brown  or  dirty  whitish. 

Locality. — Albatross  station  3749,  off  Suno  Saki,  Honshu  Island, 
Japan,  83  to  158  fathoms,  black  sand,  shells,  1  specimen. 

Type.— Cut.  No.  25724,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  3749. 

It  is  a  great  pity  that  the  Fisheries  steamer  Albatross,  in  her  later, 
more  extensive  collecting  around  Japan,  failed  to  meet  with  this  species 
again.  It  resembles  an  Ophioscolex,  but  the  upper  arm  plates  are  so 
well  marked  and  the  two  tentacle  scales  so  distinct  and  regular,  it 
will  not  be  confused  with  any  known  species  of  that  genus. 

OPHIOSTYRACIUM,  new  genus.a 

Disk  covered  with  a  bare  skin,  upon  which  are  scattered  some  small 
thin,  roundish  plates,  a  few  of  which  bear  a  single  sharp-pointed  spine 
each.  Radial  shields  evident,  long,  diverging,  each  with  a  conspicuous 
spike-like  spine  on  its  proximal  end.  No  upper  arm  plates  or  tentacle 
scales.  Oral  papillaB  and  arm  spines  few. 

Type  species. — Ophiostyracium  trachyacanihum. 

This  is  another  relative  of  OpJiioscolex,  but  is  at  once  distinguished 
from  that  genus  by  the  large  radial  shields  and  the  spike-like  disk 
spines. 

OPHIOSTYRACIUM  TRACHYACANTHUM,  new  species,  b 

Disk  6  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  25  mm.  long.  Disk  covered 
with  a  thin  skin,  on  which  are  scattered  a  few  thin,  indistinct  scales, 
the  more  conspicuous  of  which  carry  long,  sharp  spines.  Radial 
shields  large,  thick,  three  times  as  long  as  wide,  rounded  at  the  ends, 
nearly  or  quite  touching  distally  but  diverging  widely  within.  Each 
shield  carries  near  its  proximal  end  a  very  large,  sharp,  spike-like 
spine.  Upper  arm  plates  wanting.  Interbrachial  space  below  bare. 
Genital  slits  very  large.  Oral  shield  rounded  pentagonal,  wider  than 
long,  with  dis to-lateral  sides  concave.  Adoral  plates  very  large, 
meeting  broadly  within,  and  separating  oral  shield  from  side  arm 
plates  without;  oral  plates  and  oral  tentacle  pores  conspicuous. 
Oral  papillae  spiniform,  three  on  a  side  and  one  at  apex  of  jaw;  distal- 
most  smallest,  short,  rounded,  looking  as  though  it  arose  from  first 
under  arm  plate,  below  oral  tentacle  pore.  First  under  arm  plate 
roundish;  succeeding  plates  tetragonal,  with  rounded  corners,  and 

a"0(j)co  and  arup&iuov,  signifying  a  small  spike,  in  reference  to  the  spike-like  spines 
on  the  disk. 

&  Tpa/yf ,  signifying  rough,  and  oKavda,  signifying  spine,  in  reference  to  the  rough  arm 
spines. 


254  BULLETIN    75,   UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

after  the  third  well  separated  and  with  very  indistinct  outlines.  Side 
arm  plates  rather  large,  not  quite  meeting  either  above  or  below; 
each  plate  carries  three  solid,  flattened,  serrate  or  rough,  bluntly 
pointed  arm  spines,  of  which  the  middle  one  is  longest  and  slightly 
exceeds  a  joint;  base  of  spine  white  and  opaque,  like  side  arm  plate, 
but  remainder  glassy.  Tentacle  pores  very  large,  but  no  tentacle 
scales.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  disk  dark  greenish,  radial  shields 
pure  white,  arms  and  oral  surface,  whitish. 

Locality. — Albatross  station   4919,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  30°  34'  N.; 


C 

FIG.  124.— OPHIOSTYRACIUM  TRACHYACANTHUM.    X  9.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  b,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW 


OF  THREE  ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 


long.  129°  19'  30"  E.,  440  fathoms,  globigerina  ooze,  oottom  tem- 
perature 41.8°,  1  specimen. 

Type.— Cat.  No.  25733,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4919. 

This  individual  is  well  preserved  and  its  remarkable  features  stand 
out  distinctly,  so  that  one  wishes  more  than  usually  that  a  good  series 
were  available. 

OPHIOSCHIZA,  new  genus." 

Disk  covered  with  irregular  plates  and  large  radial  shields.  Upper 
arm  plates  wanting,  except  one  or  two  rudimentary  ones  at  base  of 

°-"0<})co  and  o%^a,  signifying  crack,  slit,  in  reference  to  the  single  genital  slit  in  each 
interradius. 


NORTH   PACIFIC   OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK.       255 


arm.  Oral  shields  wanting,  except  in  one  interradius.  Under  arm 
plates  numerous,  forming  an  irregular  pavement.  No  tentacle  scales. 
Arm  spines  reduced  in  number  and  size,  with  hooked  tip.  Genital 
slit  single  in  each  interradius,  just  distal  to  adoral  plates. 

Type-species. — Ophioschiza  monacantTia . 

This  is  one  of  the  most  remarkable  ophiurans  in  the  collection^  the 
combination  of  a  well-scaled  disk,  with  the  absence  of  upper  arm 
plates  and  oral  shields  and  the  presence  of  hooked  arm  spines  being 
most  unusual,  while  the  occurrence  of  a  single  genital  slit  in  each 
interbrachial  space  is  certainly  unique.  The  relationships  of  such  a 
strange  form  are  most  obscure  but  it  is  almost  certain  that  it  does  not 
belong  here.  The  tips  of  the  arms  are  spirally  coiled  as  in  Asteronyx 
and  its  allies  and  I  am  in- 
clined to  think  that  Ophio- 
schiza is  probably  one  of  the 
Cladophiurae. 

OPHIOSCHIZA  MONACANIHA,  new 

species.a 

Disk  6  mm.  in  diameter; 
arms  about  20  mm.  long. 
Disk  flat,  covered  with  a 
coat  of  coarse  scales,  of 
which  two  in  each  interra- 
dius are  larger  than  the 
others.  Radial  shields  very 
large,  twice  as  long  as  broad, 
separated  from  each  other 
by  a  narrow  strip  of  small 
scales.  Upper  arm  plates 
wanting  save  for  one  or 
two  rudimentary  ones  at 
very  base  of  arm.  Inter- 
brachial spaces  below  covered  with  bare  skin  but  entirely  sur- 
rounded by  coarse  scales.  Genital  slit,  short,  oblong,  placed  trans- 
versely in  proximal  angle  of  interbrachial  space.  Oral  shields 
wanting  except  in  one  interradius,  where  a  rudimentary  one  much 
wider  than  long  lies  proximal  to  genital  slit.  Adoral  plates  large 
and  distinct,  hardly  twice  as  long  as  wide,  meeting  broadly  within; 
oral  plates  moderate  but  oral  tentacle  pores  very  large.  Oral 
papillae  rudimentary,  three  or  four  on  a  side.  First  under  arm 
plate  large,  pentagonal,  longer  than  wide;  succeeding  plates  broken 
up  into  an  irregular  pavement,  the  component  parts  of  which  are 


FIG.  125.— OPHIOSCHIZA  MONACANTHA.  x  9.  a,  FROM  ABOVE; 
6,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO  ARM  JOINTS  NEAR 

DISK. 


aM6vo£  signifying  single,  and  &K.av6a,  signifying  spine,  in  reference  to  the  single  arm 
spine. 


256 


BULLETIN    15,   UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 


more  or  less  indistinct.  Side  arm  plates  very  low,  rounded,  each 
with  a  single,  short  blunt  spine,  not  one-third  as  long  as  joint;  under 
the  microscope  this  spine  is  seen  to  have  the  hook-shape  so  character- 
istic of  Cladophiurse.  Tentacle  pores  distinct,  but  tentacle  scales 
entirely  wanting.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  pale  yellowish. 

Locality. — Albatross  station  3480,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  52°  6'  N.;  long. 
171°  45'  W.,  283  fathoms,  black  sand,  coral,  rocky,  1  specimen. 

Type. — Cat.  No.  25735,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  3480. 

Further  material  of  this  interesting  ophiuran  will  be  necessary 
before  its  real  relationships  can  be  positively  determined.  There  is  a 
possibility  that  the  type-specimen  is  immature.  The  single  oral 
shield  present  may  very  likely  be  the  madreporite. 

Family  OPHIOCOMHXE. 

OPHIOMASTIX  MIXTA. 

Ophiomastix  mixta  LUTKEN,  Add.  Hist.  Oph.,  pt.  3,  1869,  p.  44. 

Locality. — Tanegashima,  Japan,  1  specimen. 

Although  this  species  was  described  forty  years  ago,  it  has  never 


FIG.  126.— OPHIOMASTIX  MIXTA. 


a,  FROM  ABOVE;   6,  FROM  BELOW;   c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO  ARM 

JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 


been  figured,  so  it  seems  worth  while  to  illustrate  its  principal  features 
here.  The  specimen  before  me  has  three  tentacle  scales  on  each  of  the 
basal  arm  pores,  but  this  is  not  characteristic  of  the  species. 

OPHIOCOMA  BREVIPES. 

Ophiocoma  brevipes  PETERS,  Arch.  f.  Naturg.,  vol.  18  (1),  1852,  p.  85. 

Locality. — Tanegashima,  Japan,  1906,  6  specimens. 

The  disk  diameter  of  these  individuals  ranges  from  8  to  27  mm. 
The  smallest  has  some  white  markings  near  the  disk  margin  but  the 
others  are  uniformly  blackish  above. 


NORTH   PACIFIC   OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK.       257 

OPHIOCOMA  ERINACEA. 

Ophiocoma  erinaceus  MULLER  and  TROSCHEL,  Sys.  Ast.,  1842,  p.  98. 

Locality. — Kagoshima  Bay,  Japan,  1  specimen. 

The  disk  diameter  of  this  specimen  is  23  mm.  and  the  upper  arm 
spines  are  remarkably  long,  8  to  10  mm.  The  specific  name  has 
always  been  written  erinaceus,  but  there  seems  to  be  no  good  reason 
why  it  should  not  conform  in  gender  to  the  generic  name. 

OPHIOPTERIS  PAPILLOSA. 

Ophiocoma  papillosa  LYMAN,  111.  Cat.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  vol.  8,  pt.  2,  1875.  p.  11. 

Locality. — Monterey,  California,  8  to  12  fathoms,  3  specimens. 

There  seems  to  be  no  question  that  this  species  is  congeneric  with 
0.  antipodum,  although  it  has  hitherto  been  left  in  Ophiocoma.  The 
specimens  before  me  are  about  13  mm.  across  the  disk  and  light 
brown  in  color,  the  arms  faintly  banded  with  darker. 

Family  OPHIOTHRICHm 

OPHIOTHRIX  CILIARIS. 

Ophiura  ciliaris  LAMARCK,  Anim.  s.  Vert.,  vol.  2,  1816,  p.  545. 
Ophiothrix  ciliaris  MULLER  and  TROSCHEL,  Sys.  Ast.,  1842,  p.  114. 

Locality. — Kobe,  Japan,  8  fathoms,  1  specimen. 

This  is  one  of  the  Challenger  specimens,  identified  doubtfully  by 
Lyman  as  ciliaris.  It  is  unlike  that  species  in  certain  characters ,  and 
I  suspect  it  is  probably  a  form  of  Icoreana. 

OPHIOTHRIX  KOREANA. 

Ophiothrix  koreana  DUNCAN,  Jour.  Linn.  Soc.  London  (Zool.),  vol.  14,  1879,  p.  473. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  3656,  Hakodate  Bay,  Japan,  11.5 
fathoms,  green  mud,  sand,  1  specimen;  station  3657,  Hakodate  Bay, 
Japan,  13.5  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  2  specimens;  station  3659, 
Hakodate  Bay,  Japan,  15.5  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  1  specimen; 
station  3661,  Gulf  of  Tokyo,  Japan,  169  fathoms,  mud,  pebbles,  2 
specimens;  station  3698,  off  Manazuru  Zaki,  Japan,  153  fathoms, 
green  mud,  volcanic  ashes,  sand,  9  specimens;  station  3702,  off  Seno 
Umi,  Japan,  31  to  41  fathoms,  volcanic  mud,  sand,  rocks,  1  specimen; 
station  3704,  off  Seno  Umi,  Japan,  94  to  150  fathoms,  fine  volcanic 
sand,  2  specimens;  station  3707,  off  Ose  Zaki,  Japan,  63  to  75  fathoms, 
volcanic  sand,  ashes,  gravel,  20  specimens;  station  3713,  off  Ose  Zaki, 
Japan,  45  to  48  fathoms,  volcanic  sand,  shells,  rocks,  1  specimen; 
station  3716,  off  Ose  Zaki,  Japan,  65  to  125  fathoms,  volcanic  sand, 
shells,  rocks,  4  specimens;  station  3717,  off  Ose  Zaki,  Japan,  63  to 
100  fathoms,  volcanic  sand,  shells,  rocks,  10  specimens;  station  3720, 
off  Ose  Zaki,  Japan,  63  fathoms,  volcanic  sand,  shells,  2  specimens; 
34916°— Bull.  75—11 17 


258  BULLETIN   75,  UNITED  STATES  NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 

station  3725,  off  Noma  Saki,  Japan,  13  fathoms,  sand,  shells,  gravel,  2 
specimens;  station  3730,  off  Omai  Zaki,  Japan,  34  to  37  fathoms, 
mud,  gravel,  rocks,  6  specimens;  station  3741,  off  Ose  Zaki,  Japan, 

63  to  68  fathoms,  volcanic  sand,  shells,  pebbles,  5  specimens;  station 
3752,  off  Suno  Saki,  Japan,  54  to  100  fathoms,  gray  sand,  gravel,  12 
specimens;  station  3755,  off  Suno  Saki,  Japan,  52  to  77  fathoms, 
gray  sand,  coral,  3  specimens;  station  3756,  off  Suno  Saki,  Japan, 
50  to  77  fathoms,  rotten  coral,  4  specimens;  station  3757,  off  Suno 
Saki,  Japan,  41  to  50  fathoms,  coarse  coral  sand,  gravel,  1  specimen; 
station  3758,  off  Suno  Saki,  Japan,  52  to  73  fathoms,  blue  clay,  rocks, 

2  specimens;  station  3764,  off  Suno  Saki,  Japan,  44  to  50  fathoms, 
fine  gravel,  broken  shells,  7  specimens;  station  4807,  Sea  of  Japan, 
lat.  41°  36'  12"  N.;  long.  140°  36'  E.,  44  to  47  fathoms,  shells,  coarse 
gravel,  1  specimen;  station  4808,  Sea  of  Japan,  lat.  41°  35'  50"  N.; 
long.  140°  36'  45"  E.,  47  fathoms,  sand,  shells,  coarse  gravel,  3  speci- 
mens; station '4816,  Sea  of  Japan,  lat.  38°  14'  N.;  long.  138°  54'  E., 

64  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  51.7°,  2  specimens; 
station  4826,  Sea  of  Japan,  lat.  37°  25'  N.;  long.  137°  32'  E.,  114 
fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  black  specks,  bottom   temperature  42.5°, 

3  specimens;  station  4832,  Sea  of  Japan,  lat.  36°  14'  30"  N.;  long. 
135°  56'  30"  E.,  76  to  79  fathoms,  dark  gray  sand,  bottom  tempera- 
ture 53.2°,  5  specimens;  station  4833,  Sea  of  Japan,  lat.  36°  13' 
40"  N.;  long.  135°  56'  30"  E.,  79  fathoms,  dark  gray  sand,  rocks, 
bottom  temperature  53.2°,  66  specimens;  station  4842,  coast  of  Korea, 
lat.  36°  13'  N.;  long.  133°  27'  E.,  82  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  shells, 
bottom  temperature  54.6°,  6  specimens;  station  4875,  Korea  Strait, 
lat.  34°  19'  N.;  long.  130°  9'  E.,  59  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  broken 
shells,  6  specimens;  station  4876,   Korea   Strait,  lat.   34°  20'  N.; 
long.  130°  10'  E.,  59  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  broken  shells,  bottom 
temperature  62.1°,  27  specimens;  station  4877,  Korea  Strait,  lat. 
34°  20'  30"  N.;  long.  130°  11'  E.,  59  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  broken 
shells,  11  specimens;  station  4878,  Korea  Strait,  lat.  34°  18'  30"  N.; 
long.  130°  14'  30"  E.,  59  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  broken  shells,  5 
specimens;  station  4885,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  31'  30"  N.;  long.  129° 
30'  15"  E.,  53  fathoms,  dark  gray  sand,  broken  shells,  3  specimens; 
station  4888,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  26'  N.;  long.  129°  27'  30"  E.,  71 
fathoms,  dark  gray  sand,  broken  shells,  1  specimen;  station  4891, 
Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  27'  N.;  long.  128°  34'  E.,  181  fathoms,  gray  sand, 
broken  shells,  rocks,  bottom  temperature  50.2°,  2  specimens;  station 
4893,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32° 32'  N.;  long.  128°  32'  50" E.,  106  fathoms, 
gray  sand,  broken  shells,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  55.9°,  33 
specimens;  station  4894,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  33'  N.;  long.  128° 
32'  10"  E.,  95  fathoms,  green  sand,  broken  shells,  pebbles,  3  speci- 
mens; station  4895,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  33'  10"  N.;  long.  128° 
32'  10"  E.;  95  fathoms,  green  sand,  broken  shells,  pebbles,  1  specimen; 


NORTH   PACIFIC    OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK.       259 

station  4900,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  28'  50"  N.;  long.  128°  34'  40"  E., 
139  fathoms,  gray  sand,  broken  shells,  bottom  temperature  52.9°, 
14  specimens;  station  4901,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  30'  10"  N.;  long. 
128°  34'  40"  E.,  139  fathoms,  gray  sand,  broken  shells,  5  specimens; 
station  4902,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  30'  50"  N.;  long.  128°  34'  40"  E. 
139  fathoms,  gray  sand,  broken  shells,  3  specimens;  station  4903, 
Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  31'  10"  N.;  long.  128°  33'  20"  E.,  107  to  139 
fathoms,  gray  sand,  broken  shells,  26  specimens;  station  4933, 
Eastern  Sea,  kt.  30°  59'  N.;  long.  130°  29'  50"  E.,  152  fathoms, 
rocky,  bottom  temperature  56°,  1  specimen;  station  4934,  Eastern 
Sea,  lat.  30°  58'  30"  N.;  long.  130°  32'  E.,  103  to  152  fathoms,  rocky, 
2  specimens;  station  4937,  Kagoshima  Gulf,  lat.  31°  13'  N.;  long. 
130°  43'  10"  E.,  58  fathoms,  mud,  lava,  pebbles,  bottom  tempera- 
ture 64.8°,  32  specimens;  station  4946,  off  southern  Japan,  lat. 
31°  29'  10"  N.;  long.  130°  34'  30"  E.,  39  fathoms,  brown  sand, 
broken  shells,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  68.7°,  1  specimen;  sta- 
tion 4947,  off  southern  Japan,  lat.  31°  28'  20"  N.;  long.  130°  35'  30" 
E.,  51  fathoms,  1  specimen;  station  5055,  Suruga  Gulf,  lat.  34°  53'  N.; 
long.  138°  44'  15"  E.,  124  fathoms,  green  mud,  gray  sand,  broken 
shells,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  56.6°,  2  specimens;  station  5068, 
Suruga  Gulf,  lat.  35°  2'  25"  N.;  long.  138°  46'  55"  E.,  77  to  131 
fathoms,  black  sand,  broken  shells,  bottom  temperature  63°,  1  speci- 
men; station  5069,  Suruga  Gulf,  lat.  35°  3'  10"  N.;  long.  138°  47' 
E.,  108  to  131  fathoms,  mud,  sand,  broken  shells,  bottom  tempera- 
ture 55.8°,  11  specimens;  station  5070,  Suruga  Gulf,  lat.  35°  3' 25" 
N.;  long.  138°  47'  40"  E.,  108  fathoms,  mud,  sand,  broken  shells, 
bottom  temperature  57.6°,  8  specimens;  station  5091,  Uraga  Strait, 
lat.  35°  4'  10"  N.;  long.  139°  38'  12"  E.,  197  fathoms,  green  mud, 
coarse  black  sand,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  47.6°,  6  specimens; 
station  5092,  Uraga  Strait,  lat.  35°  4'  50"  N.;  long.  139°  38'  18"  E., 
70  fathoms,  coarse  black  sand,  bottom  temperature  56.3°,  3  speci- 
mens; station  5093,  Uraga  Strait,  lat.  35°  3'  15"  N.;  long.  139° 
37'  42"  E.,  302  fathoms,  coarse  black  sand,  bottom  temperature 
43.9°,  1  specimen;  station  5094,  Uraga  Strait,  lat.  35°  4'  42"  N.; 
long.  139°  38'  20"  E.,  88  fathoms,  black  sand,  broken  shells,  bottom 
temperature  54.8°,  5  specimens;  station  5095,  Uraga  Strait,  lat.  35° 
5'  34"  N.;  long.  139°  38'  36"  E.,  58  fathoms,  fine  black  sand,  broken 
shells,  bottom  temperature  57.8°,  14  specimens.  Bathymetrical 
range,  11J  to  302  fathoms.  Temperature  range,  68.7°  to  42.5°.  Four 
hundred  and  eleven  specimens. 

There  is  no  doubt  that  this  is  a  most  variable  species  and  these 
specimens  ranging  in  disk  diameter  from  3  to  17  mm.,  reveal  it  to  a 
remarkable  degree.  They  vary  in  color,  in  abundance  and  size 
of  disk  stumps  and  spines,  in  slenderness  of  arm  spines  and  in  degree 
to  which  radial  shields  are  bare,  and  extremes  in  any  one  of  these 


260 


BULLETIN   75,  UNITED  STATES  NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 


points  may  agree  well  in  others.  Few  of  the  specimens  answer  to 
Duncan's  description  of  the  color,  but  the  majority  have  the  longi- 
tudinal white  stripe  on  upper  side  of  arm  more  or  less  distinct. 
Greenish,  whitish,  gray,  and  brown  tints  are  more  common  than 
red  in  dried  specimens.  The  arms  are  often  banded  with  light  and 
dark  shades.  The  radial  shields  are  usually  bare,  but  are  often 
partly,  and  sometimes  wholly  covered  with  the  more  or  less  trifid 
stumps.  In  some  specimens  there  are  no  spines  on  the  disk,  only 
the  trifid  stumps;  in  others  the  disk  spines  are  more  numerous  than 
the  stumps,  and  the  latter  are  occasionally  very  few.  The  relative 
length  of  the  thorns  and  the  base,  of  the  stumps,  and  the  degree  to 


FIG.  127.— OPHIOTHKIX  KOEEANA.    X  3.    o,  FROM  ABOVE;  b,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO  ARM 

JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

which  the  thorns  are  united  to  each  other  by  membrane  vary  greatly. 
In  some  specimens  the  stumps  are  practically  wanting  and  the  disk 
spines  very  long  and  crowded;  these  specimens  are  so  different  from 
typical  Icoreana  that  I  attempted  to  separate  them  as  a  distinct 
species  but  connecting  links  are  too  numerous  to  permit  one  to 
follow  that  course.  The  arm  spines  are  usually  slender  and  some- 
what tapering,  not  rarely  almost  acicular  though  rough,  but  they  are 
sometimes  stouter  and  very  blunt;  occasionally  they  are  flattened; 
the  lowest  forms  a  hook,  as  described  by  Duncan,  but  this  very 
inconspicuous  feature  is  not  at  all  diagnostic,  for  the  same  structure 
occurs  to  a  greater  or  less  degree  in  many  species  of  Ophioihrix. 


NORTH   PACIFIC   OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK.       261 

The  largest  specimen  (fig.  127)  has  almost  no  trifid  stumps,  but 
numerous  rough  disk  spines  of  very  variable  length.  In  fig.  128a 
is  shown  one  of  the  most  interesting  varieties,  a  specimen  from 
station  5055;  in  this  individual  the  disk  stumps  have  very  long 
thorns,  usually  only  two,  and  these  are  united  to  each  other  by  a 
membrane;  there  are  no  disk  spines;  the  arm  spines  are  unusually 
slender  and  the  upper  arm  plates  are  unusually  long,  somewlia/t 


FIG.  128.— OPHIOTHRIX  KOREANA.    a,  PAKT  OF  SPECIMEN  FROM  STATION  5055,  FROM  ABOVE,  x  6;  6,  PART 

OF  SPECIMEN  FROM  STATION  4878,  FROM  ABOVE,    X   8. 

pentagonal  with  distal  angle  rounded  and  proximo-lateral  sides 
longest  and  concave,  rather  than  straight;  the  disk  is  nearly  white, 
the  arms  very  pale  brown,  with  a  broad  longitudinal  white  stripe 
bordered  on  each  side  with  reddish,  faintly  indicated  on  upper  side 
of  arm.  Another  interesting  specimen,  taken  at  station  4878,  is 
shown  in  fig.  128Z>;  this  individual  has  extraordinarily  long  and 
prominent  disk  spines  and  the  color  of  the  disk  is  unique,  uniform 


262 


BULLETIN  75,  UNITED  STATES  NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 


deep  purple,  the  disk  spines,  and  distal  ends  of  radial  shields  (with 
adjoining  disk  margin)  nearly  white  in  marked  contrast. 

OPHIOTHRIX  SPICULATA. 

Ophiothrix  spiculata  LECONTE,  Proc.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Philadelphia,  vol.  5,  1851, 
p.  318. 

Localities.— Albatross  station  3329,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  53°  56'  50" 
N.;  long.  167°  8'  15"  W.,  399  fathoms,  fine  black  sand,  bottom  tem- 
perature 37.7°,  12  specimens;  West  Coast  of  North  America,  3 
specimens. 

The  specimens  labeled  "West  Coast  of  North  America'7  have 
evidently  been  in  alcohol  a  long  time  and  have  lost  all  color,  but 


FIG.  129.— OPHIOTHRIX  SPICULATA.    X  4.5.   o,  FROM  ABOVE;  5,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO  ARM 

JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

those  labeled  "3329"  show  the  characteristic  blue  and  red  coloring 
of  the  species.  The  largest  specimen,  in  particular  has  the  arms 
bright  purplish-blue  with  frequent  narrow  cross  bands  of  reddish. 
All  the  specimens  agree  in  having  the  disk  fully,  and  the  radial  shields 
sparsely,  covered  with  rough  spinelets,  which  can  scarcely  be  divided 
into  "stumps"  and  "spines,"  but  differ  from  each  other  only  in 
length  and  thickness.  This  is  the  only  difference  between  these 
specimens,  and  typical  examples  from  Pearl  Islands,  Panama.  It  is 
hard  to  believe  that  there  is  not  some  mistake  about  the  label,  "  3329," 
for  it  is  most  extraordinary  that  such  a  bright-colored,  littoral,  Pana- 
micform  as  spiculata  should  occur  in  deep  water  in  Bering  Sea.  The 


NORTH  PACIFIC   OPHITJRANS  IN    NATIONAL  MUSEUM — CLARK.       263 


record  may  well  be  regarded  as  very  doubtful,  at  least  until  the 
species  is  reported  from  Alaska. 

OPHIOTHRIX  LONGIPEDA. 

Ophiura  longipeda  LAMARCK,  Anim.  s.  Vert.,  vol.  2,  1816,  p.  544. 
Ophiothrix  longipeda  MULLER  and  TROSCHEL,  Sys.  Ast.,  1842,  p.  113. 

Locality. — Ousima,  Japan,  3  specimens. 

Two  of  these  specimens  are  very  large,  having  a  disk  diameter  of 
30   mm.    and  arms 
645  mm.  long;  the 
arms  are  thus  more 

than      twenty -one  ^sh^& 

times  the   disk   di- 
ameter. 

OPHIOTHRIX  HYLODES, 
new  species." 

Disk  10  mm.  in 
diameter;  arms 
about  45  mm.  long. 
Disk  thickly  cov 
ered  with  stout 
blunt,  rough  spines, 
which  are  of  nearly 
uniform  length. 
Radial  shields  mod- 
era  te,  triangular, 
much  longer  than 
wide,  well  sepa- 
rated; they  carry 
many  of  the  disk 
spines,  but  although 
their  outlines  are 
thereby  obscured  the  distal  portion  is  nearly  bare.  Upper  arm 
plates  rounded  hexagonal  or  rhombic,  wider  than  long.  Oral  sur- 
face with  no  characteristic  features.  Arm  spines  about  eight  in 
number,  of  moderate  length,  rough,  blunt,  and  somewhat  flattened. 
Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  variable;  in  type,  disk  and  oral  surface 
brown;  arms  dull  purplish  with  a  longitudinal  light  stripe  more 
or  less  clearly  indicated;  in  other  specimens,  disk  pale  brown  or 
greenish,  arms  greenish,  with  longitudinal  light  stripe  very  faintly 
indicated. 

Localities. — Misaki,  Japan,  2  specimens;  Ayukawa,  Japan,  1  speci- 
men.    " Northwestern  Pacific,  probably  Japan/7  1  specimen. 

Type.— Cut.  No.  25723,  U.S.N.M.,  from  Misaki. 

u'rhbdyc,  signifying  wooded,  in  reference  t«  the  thick  covering  of  spines  on  the  disk. 


FIG.  130.— OPHIOTHRIX  HYLODES.    x  5.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  FROM  BE- 
LOW;   C,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO  ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 


264 


BULLETIN  75,   UNITED  STATES   NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 


Although  the  general  appearance  of  these  specimens  is  quite  dis- 
tinctive, and  trifid  stumps  appear  to  be  wholly  wanting,  the  indi- 
cations of  a  longitudinal  white  stripe  on  the  upper  side  of  the  arms 
make  me  suspicious  that  this  is  only  an  extreme  variety  of  koreana. 
Observations  on  an  extended  series  of  living  specimens  at  Misaki 
would  very  easily  settle  the  matter. 

OPHIOTHRIX  PANCHYENDYTA,  new  species.a 

Disk  11  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  35  to  40  mm.  long,  probably. 
Disk  thicjdy  covered  with  nearly  smooth,  cylindrical  spines,  blunt  and 


FIG.  131.—  OPHIOTHRIX  PANCHYENDYTA.    a,  FROM  ABOVE,  x  5;   6,  FROM  BELOW,  x  5;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF 

TWO  ARM   JOINTS  NEAR    DISK,    X  5;    d,   AN   UPPER   ARM   PLATE,  X    15;    e,  AN   UNDER  ARM  PLATE,  X  15j 
/,  A  TENTACLE,   X    15. 

rough  at  tip.  Radial  shields  very  large,  smooth,  nearly  free  from 
spines,  in  contact  at  inner,  distal  corner,  but  elsewhere  separated  by  a 
narrow  series  of  scales  bearing  numerous  small  spines.  Upper  arm 
plates  (fig.  13ld)  rhombic,  coarsely  granular,  a  little  swollen,  wider 
than  long,  in  contact  throughout  ;  the  first  one  carries  a  tubercle  on 
which  is  borne  a  conspicuous  spine.  Interbrachial  spaces  below 
fully  covered  with  scales  and  spinelets  like  those  of  disk.  Oral 
shields,  adoral  plates,  and  under  arm  plates  rather  indistinct  (as 


u,  signifying  wholly,  and  Ivdurbf,  signifying  clothed,  in  reference  to  the  inter- 
brachial  spaces  below  being  entirely  covered  with  scales  and  spinelets.. 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK.       265 

though  skin-covered)  and  slightly  swollen,  coarsely  granular.  Under 
arm  plates  (fig.  13  le)  widely  separated,  very  much  wider  than  long. 
Arm  spines  about  eight,  rather  short,  slightly  flattened  at  blunt,  rough 
tip.  Tentacles  large  and  very  papillose  (fig.  13 I/),  therefore  tentacle 
pores  very  large.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  very  pale  fawn  color. 

Locality.— Albatross  station  4876,  Korea  Strait,  lat.  34° -201JL; 
long.  130°  10'  E.,  59  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  broken  shells,  bottom 
temperature  62.1°,  3  specimens;  station  4877,  Korea  Strait,  lat.  34° 
20'  30"  N.;  long.  130°  11'  E.,  59  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  broken 
shells,  1  specimen. 

Type.—Csit.  No.  25644,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4876. 

Although  this  species  is  possessed  of  a  number  of  distinctive 
characters,  I  am  in  doubt  as  to  the  reliability  of  any  of  them.  Thus 
the  disk  spines  differ  from  those  of  either  Jcoreana  or  liylodes,  but  it  is 
not  really  an  essential  difference,  and  the  coarse  granulation  of  the 
upper  arm  plates,  very  different  from  what  is  shown  by  the  other 
species,  is  probably  not  a  distinctive  peculiarity.  So  the  conspicuous 
spine-bearing  tubercle  on  the  first  upper  arm  plate  of  each  arm,  may 
not  be  a  constant  feature,  and  even  if  it  is,  similar,  if  not  as  con- 
spicuous, tubercles  occur  in  other  species  of  OpMothrix.  The  complete 
covering  of  the  interbrachial  spaces  below  helps  to  distinguish 
panchyendyta  from  Jiylodes  and  most  specimens  of  Jcoreana,  but  not 
from  all!  The  arms  of  panchyendyta  seem  to  be  unusually  short,  but 
as  all  are  broken,  it  is  not  possible  to  reach  a  positive  decision  on  the 
point.  As  the  general  appearance  of  these  specimens  is  quite  unique, 
they  may  well  stand  by  themselves  for  the  present. 

OPHIOTHRIX  EUSTEIRA,  new  species,  a 

Disk  9  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  60  mm.  long,  probably. 
Disk  with  numerous,  but  not  crowded,  minute  thorny  stumps  and  at 
center  with  a  number  of  very  long,  slender,  rough  spines;  there  are 
smaller,  smoother  spines  between  the  radial  shields  and  rarely  in  the 
interradial  spaces.  Radial  shields  very  large,  covering  most  of  disk, 
free  from  stumps  and  spines;  interradial  distance  between  two  about 
twice  radial;  lateral  margins  straight,  distal  margin  concave.  Upper 
arm  plates  beyond  first,  rhombic,  longer  than  wide,  in  contact  and 
strongly  carinate.  Interbrachial  spaces  below  well  covered  with 
minute  stumps.  Genital  slits  large.  Oral  shields  very  much  wider 
than  long,  rounded  laterally.  Adoral  plates  large,  broader  without 
than  within,  where  they  meet.  Tooth  papilla  about  thirty,  rather 
pointed,  forming  a  high  narrow  oval  group.  First  four  or  five  under 
arm  plates,  longer  than  wide,  next  five  or  six  squarish,  succeeding  plates 

°  En,  signifying  well,  and  oreipa,  signifying  keel,  in  reference  to  the  form  of  the 
upper  arm  plates. 


266  BULLETIN   *75,   UNITED  STATES  NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 

longer  than  wide  again.  Side  arm  plates  moderate,  not  meeting  either 
above  or  below;  each  plate  carries  six  or  seven  long,  slender,  acute, 
thorny  spines,  of  which  the  lowest  is  very  small,  while  the  uppermost 
or  next  is  longest  and  at  base  of  arm  may  equal  fully  four  joints. 
Tentacle  pores  very  large,  each  with  a  single  small  tentacle  scale  which 
may  be  lacking  on  the  first  one  or  two  joints.  Color  (dried  from 
alcohol) ,  light  wood-brown,  disk  spines,  arm  spines,  and  keel  on  upper 
arm  plates  white  in  marked  contrast. 


FIG.  132.— OPHIOTHRIX  EUSTEIRA. 


a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO  ARM 

JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 


Locality. — Ousima,  Japan,  William  Stimpson,  collector,  2  specimens. 

Type.—C&t.  No.  3319,  U.S.N.M.,  from  Ousima. 

There  can  be  no  question  about  the  distinctness  of  this  beautiful 
species  which  has  lain  unnamed  for  half  a  century,  in  the  collections 
of  the  National  Museum.  The  few,  long,  white  arm  spines,  the  long 
under  arm  plates,  and  the  long,  strongly  keeled  upper  arm  plates  are 
striking  features  apart  from  the  characters  of  the  disk.  It  seems 
strange  that  such  a  handsome  and  noticeable  species  should  have  so 
long  awaited  description,  and  it  is  also  rather  remarkable  that  no 


NORTH   PACIFIC   OPHlURANS   IN    NATIONAL  MUSEUM — CLARK.       26? 

specimens  of  it  were  taken  by  the  Fisheries  steamer  Albatross  on  either 
of  her  Japanese  cruises. 

OPHIOTHRIX  MACROBRACHIA,  new  species,  a 

Disk  11  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  apparently  about  165  mm.  long. 
Disk  covered  with  a  thick  skin  containing  scales  which  bear  slender, 
minutely  thorny  spines  of  variable  length  and  acuteness.  Radial 
shields  very  large,  but  completely  hidden  by  the  skin,  except  at  inner 
distal  corner,  where  they  are  barely  in  contact.  Upper  arm  plates 
pentagonal,  becoming  squarish  far  out  on  arm;  first  four  or  five  small 
and  separated  from  each  other  by  skin;  succeeding  twenty  or  so  in 
contact ;  remainder  more  or  less  separated.  Interbrachial  spaces  below 


FIG.  133.— OPHIOTHRIX  MACROBRACHIA.    X  4.5.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO 

ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

quite  naked,  the  thin  skin  with  only  a  few  scattered  minute  spine- 
lets.  Oral  shields  wide,  sometimes  twice  as  wide  as  long,  more  or  less 
oval  or  elliptical.  Adoral  plates  very  small,  not  meeting  within;  jaw 
frames  with  a  large  median  perforation.  Teeth  about  four  and  teeth 
papillae  about  twenty  on  each  jaw.  Under  arm  plates  with  rather 
indistinct  outlines,  but  hardly  in  contact  with  each  other,  and  usually 
well  separated;  first  two  or  three  longer  than  wide,  following  squarish 
or  wider  than  long  until  toward  tip  of  arm,  they  become  longer  than 
wide  again;  each  plate  has  a  more  or  less  distinct  median,  minute 
notch  in  distal  and  proximal  margins,  connected  by  a  longitudinal  line 
on  its  surface,  the  cause  of  which  is  hard  to  determine,  for  it  is  not 

a  MoKpoe,  signifying  long,  and  ftpa%'ctov,  signifying  arm,  in  reference  to  the  very  long 
arms. 


268  BULLETIN   75,   UNITED  STATES  NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 

due  to  a  ridge;  a  furrow,  or  color;  possibly  the  plate  is  thinner  along 
that  line.  Side  arm  plates  not  very  large,  each  with  about  eight 
blunt,  nearly  smooth  arm  spines,  of  which  the  lowest  are  very  small, 
while  the  two  or  three  uppermost  are  equal  to  two  or  three  joints- 
Tentacle  pores  large  but  tentacle  scales  wanting.  Color  (dried  from 
alcohol),  disk  pure  white,  arms  and  spines  very  pale  cream  or  fawn 
color,  interbranchial  spaces  below  dark  brown  or  blackish;  a  few 
specimens  have  a  reddish  tinge,  and  in  one  very  small  specimen  the 
bare  part  of  the  radial  shields  is  deep  pink. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  3707,  off  Ose  Zaki,  Honshu  Island, 
Japan,  63  to  75  fathoms,  volcanic  sand,  ashes,  gravel,  5  specimens; 
station  3715,  off  Ose  Zaki,  Honshu  Island,  Japan,  65  to  68  fathoms, 
volcanic  sand,  shells,  rocks,  15  specimens;  station  3727^  off  Omai 
Zaki,  Honshu  Island,  Japan,  34  fathoms,  mud,  coarse  sand,  black 
shells,  13  specimens;  station  3729,  off  Omai  Zaki,  Honshu  Island, 
Japan,  34  fathoms,  mud,  gravel,  8  specimens;  station  3734,  off  Omai 
Zaki,  Honshu  Island,  Japan,  36  to  48  fathoms,  coarse  gray  volcanic 
sand,  broken  shells,  10  specimens;  station  3735,  off  Omai  Zaki,  Hon- 
shu Island,  Japan,  36  fathoms,  coarse  gray  volcanic  sand,  broken 
shells,  1  specimen;  station  4875,  Korea  Strait,  lat.  34°  19'  N.J  long. 
130°  9'  E.,  59  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  broken  shells,  bottom  tempera- 
ture 62.1°,  1  specimen;  station  4890,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  26'  30" 
N.;  long.  128°  36'  30"  E.,  135  fathoms,  rocky,  bottom  temperature 
52.3°,  1  specimen;  station  4893,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  32'  N.;  long. 
128°  32'  50"  E.,  95  to  106  fathoms,  gray  sand,  broken  shells,  pebbles, 
bottom  temperature  55.9°,  2  specimens;  station  4894,  Eastern  Sea, 
lat.  32°  33'  N.;-  long.  128°  32'  10"  E.,  95  fathoms,  green  sand,  broken 
shells,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  55.9°,  3  specimens;  station  4895, 
Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  33'  10"  N.;  long.  128°  32'  10"  E.,  95  fathoms, 
green  sand,  broken  shells,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  55.9°,  5  speci- 
mens; station  4936,  Eastern  Sea,  lat  30°  54'  40"  N.;  long.  130°  37' 
30"  E.,  103  fathoms,  stones,  bottom  temperature  60.6°,  10  specimens; 
station  4948,  Bungo  Channel,  lat.  31°  19'  N.;  long.  131°  23'  E.,  65 
fathoms,  dark  gray  volcanic  sand,  broken  shells,  pebbles,  bottom 
temperature  62.6°,  5  specimens;  station  5069,  Suruga  Gulf,  lat.  35° 
3'  10"  N.;  long.  138°  47' E.,  108  to  131  fathoms,  mud,  sand,  broken 
shells,  bottom  temperature  55.8°,  1  specimen;  station  5070,  Suruga 
Gulf,  lat.  35°  3'  25"  N.;  long.  138°  47'  40"  E.,  108  fathoms,  mud, 
sand,  broken  shells,  bottom  temperature  57.6°,  2  specimens.  Bathy- 
metrical  range,  34  to  135  fathoms.  Temperature  range,  62.6°  to  52.3°. 
Eighty-two  specimens. 

Type.—Csit.  No.  25712,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4875. 

This  unusually  handsome  and  well-characterized  species  reminds 
one  strongly  of  Ophiogymna,  but  the  disk  spines  and  upper  arm  plates 
are  those  of  an  Ophiofhrix  and  it  seems  better  to  place  it  in  that  genus. 


NORTH   PACIFIC    OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK.       269 

The  contrast  between  the  disk  and  the  interbrachial  spaces  l>elow, 
both  in  texture  of  skin  and  in  color,  is  most  striking,  and  the  very 
long  arms  with  nearly  smooth  arm  spines  are  additional  features  of 
interest.  The  specimens  before  me  range  in  disk  diameter  from  4.5 
to  11  mm. 

FAMILY  OPHIOMYXIM;. 

OPHIOBYRSA  ACANTHINOBRACHIA,  new  species. « 

Disk  20  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  280  mm.  long.  Disk  covered 
by  a  soft  skin,  which  carries  numerous  scattered  plates,  each  of  which 
bears  a  single,  small  spinelet.  Radial  shields  faintly  indicated  and 
part  of  distal  end  more  or  less  visible.  Upper  arm  plates  broken  up 
into  small  fragments,  each  one  of  which  carries  a  little  spinelet  like 
those  of  disk;  these  transverse  spine-bearing  bands  are  separated 
from  each  other  by  bare  skin.  Interbrachial  spaces  below  like  disk. 
Genital  slits  rather  big.  Mouth  parts  and  lower  surface  of  arms  more 


FIG.  134.—  OPHIOBYRSA  ACANTHINOBRACHIA.    X  2.5.    cf  FROM  ABOVE;  b,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF 

TWO  ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

or  less  concealed  by  skin.  Oral  shields  rounded  triangular  about  as 
long  as  wide.  Adoral  plates  large,  short,  and  wide,  hardly  meeting 
within;  oral  plates  about  as  large.  Oral  papillae  few,  minute,  irregu- 
lar. Teeth  (or  tooth  papillae)  spiniform,  rough  at  tip,  in  two  more 
or  less  irregular  vertical  series.  Under  arm  plates  obscure,  squarish, 
with  rounded  corners,  wider  than  long,  distal  margin  with  a  deep 
notch.  Side  arm  plates  small,  each  one  bearing  six  or  seven  small, 
acute,  subequal  skin-covered  arm  spines,  about  half  as  long  as  joint; 
lowest  arm  spine  hooked.  No  tentacle  scales.  Color  (dried  from 
alcohol),  dull  yellowish  or  reddish  brown;  young  specimens,  yellow. 

Localities.  —  Albatross  station  4894,  Eastern  Sea;  lat.  32°  33'  N.; 
long.  128°  32'  10"  E.,  95  fathoms,  green  sand,  broken  shells,  pebbles, 


,  signifying  thorny,  and  /fy>a£/wy,  signifying  arm,  in  reference  to  the  numer- 
ous small  spines  on  the  upper  arm  plates. 


270 


BULLETIN   75,   UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 


bottom  temperature  55.9°,  2  specimens;  station  4895,  Eastern  Sea, 
lat.  32°  33'  10"  N.;  long.  128°  32'  10"  E.,  95  fathoms,  green  sand, 
broken  shells,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  55.9°,  2  specimens;  sta- 
tion 5070,  Suruga  Gulf,  lat.  35°  3'  25"  N.;  long.  138°  47'  40"  E.,  108 
fathoms,  mud,  sand,  broken  shells,  bottom  temperature  57. 6°,  2 
specimens. 

Type. — Cat.  No.  25585,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4895. 

The  transverse  spiny  bands  on  the  upper  side  of  the  arms  will 
readily  distinguish  this  species  from  all  of  its  allies.  The  specimens 
before  me  have  a  disk  diameter  ranging  from  5  to  20  mm. 

OPHIOBYRSA  SYNAPTACANTHA,  new  species,  a 

Disk  12  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  220  mm.  long.  Disk  covered 
by  skin  containing  numerous  rounded  scales,  only  a  few  of  which 
carry  minute  sharp  spinelets.  Radial  shields  small,  well  separated, 
plainly  indicated  and  made  conspicuous  by  the  linear  group  of  spine- 
lets  which  they  carry,  at  least  on  the  proximal  end.  Upper  arm 


FIG.  135.— OPHIOBYRSA  SYNAPTACANTHA.    x  4.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;   &,  FROM  BELOW;   c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF 

THREE  ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

plates  separated  by  naked  skin,  broken  into  several  pieces,  of  which 
two  median  are  largest;  none  of  them  carry  spines  or  spinelets. 
Interbrachial  spaces  below  like  disk.  Genital  slits  large.  Plates  of 
whole  oral  surface  more  or  less  obscured  by  skin.  Oral  shields  small, 
apparently  squarish-oval,  longer  than  wide.  Adoral  plates  at  sides 
of  shield  very  small,  much  longer  than  wide.  Oral  papillae  and  teeth 
(tooth  papillae  ?)  as  in  acanthinobrachia.  Under  arm  plates  indistinct, 
apparently  longer  than  wide,  with  a  deep  median  notch  in  distal 
margin.  Side  arm  plates  small,  each  with  four  cylindrical,  blunt, 
spines,  about  as  long  as  joint,  more  or  less  united  to  each  other  by  a 
fold  of  skin,  which  includes  two-thirds  or  more  of  each  spine.  No 
tentacle  scales.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  dark  brown. 

Locality.— Albatross  station  4933,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  30°  59'  N.; 
long.  130°  29'  50"  E.,  152  fathoms,  rocky,  bottom  temperature  56°, 
1  specimen. 

a  luvanrk,  signifying  joined  together,  and  8.KavOa,  signifying  spine,  in  reference  to  the 
webbed  arm  spines. 


NORTH   PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK.       271 

Type.—C&t.  No.  25714,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4933. 

There  may  be  some  question  whether  the  webbed  arm  spines  are 
not  sufficient  to  remove  this  species  from  Ophiobyrsa,  but  the  upper 
arm  plates,  disk  covering,  mouth  parts,  and  lack  of  tentacle  scales 
seem  to  me  sufficient  reasons  for  placing  it  in  that  genus.  The 
smooth  upper  surface  of  the  arms,  plus  the  webbed  arm  spines,  will 
serve  to  distinguish  synaptacantha  from  the  other  members  of  the 
group. 

OPHIOMYXA  AUSTRALIS. 
Ophiomyxa  australis  LUTKEN,  Add.  Hist.  Oph.,  pt.  3,  1869,  p.  45. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  3757,  off  Suno  Saki,  Honshu  Island, 
Japan,  41  to  50  fathoms,  coarse  coral  sand,  gravel,  8  specimens; 
station  4880,  Korea  Strait,  lat.  34°  16'  N.;  long.  130°  16'  E.,  59 
fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  broken  shells,  bottom  temperature  62.1°, 
1  specimen;  station  4894,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  33'  N.;  long.  128°  32' 
10"  E.,  95  fathoms,  green  sand,  broken  shells,  pebbles,  bottom  tem- 
perature 55.9°,  2  specimens;  station  4895,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  33'  10" 
N.;  long.  128°  32'  10"  E.,  95  fathoms,  green  sand,  broken  shells, 
pebbles,  bottom  temperature  55.9°,  1  specimen;  station  4936,  Eastern 
Sea,  lat.  30°  54'  40"  N.;  long.  130°  37'  30"  E.,  103  fathoms,  stones, 
bottom  temperature  60.6°,  2  specimens.  Bathymetrical  range,  41 
to  103  fathoms.  Temperature  range,  62.1°  to  55.9°.  Fourteen 
specimens. 

These  specimens  range  in  disk  diameter  from  6  to  20  mm.  and 
vary  in  color  from  light  gray  or  yellowish  to  deep  brown.  The  num- 
ber of  arm  spines  varies  from  four  .(rarely  three,  often  five)  in  small 
individuals  to  six,  sometimes  seven,  in  large  ones.  * 

OPHIOMYXA  ANISACANTHA,  new  species,  o 

Disk  20  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  120  mm.  long.  Similar  to 
australis,  except  that  the  disk  skin  is  thinner  and  the  marginal  scales 
are  wanting;  the  oral  papillae  are  smaller,  especially  the  outermost, 
which  are  smallest,  and  are  well  spaced;  and  the  arm  spines  are 
longer  and  fewer,  three  (rarely  two,  often  four)  in  small  individuals 
and  four  (very  rarely  five)  in  large  ones ;  uppermost  spine  largest  and 
stoutest  next  lower  shorter  and  somewhat  more  slender;  third  very 
slender,  about  equal  to  second;  lowest  as  long  as  or  longer  than 
uppermost,  but  very  much  more  slender.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol), 
ranging  from  nearly  white  to  dull  reddish-brown. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  3749,  off  Suno  Saki,  Honshu  Island, 
Japan,  83  to  158  fathoms,  black  sand,  shells,  11  specimens;  station 
4892,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  27'  30"  N. ;  long.  128°  33'  E.,  181  fathoms, 
gray  sand,  broken  shells,  rocks,  bottom  temperature  50.2°,  1  speci- 

""Aveooe,  signifying  unequal,  and  amvOa,  signifying  spine,  in  reference  to  the  inequal- 
ity of  the  arm  spines. 


272 


BULLETIN    75,    UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL    MUSEUM. 


men;  station  4893,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  32'  N. ;  long.  128°  32'  50"  E., 
95  to  106  fathoms,  gray  sand,  broken  shells,  pebbles,  bottom  tem- 
perature 55.9°,  4  specimens;  station  4912,  Eastern  Sea,  lat,  31°  39'  40" 
N.;  long.  129°  20'  E.,  391  fathoms,  gray  globigerina  ooze,  bottom 
temperature  41.9°,  1  specimen;  station  5069,  Suruga  Gulf,  lat.  35°  3' 
10"  N.;  long.  138°  47'  E.,  108  to  131  fathoms,  mud,  sand,  broken 
shells,  bottom  temperature  55.8°,  3  specimens;  station  5070,  Suruga 
Gulf,  lat.  35°  3'  25"  N.;  long.  138°  47'  40"  E.,  108  fathoms,  mud, 
sand,  broken  shells,  bottom  temperature  57.6°,  5  specimens;  station 
5091,  Uraga  Strait,  lat.  35°  4'  10"  N.;  long.  139°  38'  12"  E.,  197 
fathoms,  green  mud,  coarse  black  sand,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature 
47.6°,  1  specimen.  Bathymetrical  range,  83  to  391  fathoms.  Tem- 
perature range,  57.6°  to  41.9°.  Twenty-six  specimens. 
Type.—C&t.  No.  25605,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4892. 


FIG.  136.— OPHIOMYXA  ANISACANTHA.    x  2.5.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO 

ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

The  differences  in  number,  length,  and  proportions  of  arm  spines 
between  this  species  and  australis  seem  to  be  very  constant,  and  con- 
sequently adult  specimens  of  the  two  species  are  easy  to  distinguish. 
Naturally  very  small  specimens  can  not  be  separated  so  easily,  but 
on  comparison  even  they  can  be  distinguished.  In  the  series  of 
anisacaniha  before  me  the  disk  diameter  ranges  from  5  to  21  mm. 

OPHIOPHRIXUS,  new   genus.« 

Disk  nearly  naked,  carrying  only  a  few  scattered  scales.  Radial 
shields  narrow  and  compressed,  bearing  a  linear  series  of  erect,  acute 

a  O&o  and  (frpljoe,  signifying  a  bristling,  in  reference  to  the  bristling  combs  of  spines 
on  the  radial  shields. 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK.       273 

spines.  Upper  arm  plates  wanting.  Teeth  spiniform  in  a  double 
series,  followed  by  a  few  tooth  papillae ;  oral  papillae  reduced  to  a  few 
tubercles.  Under  arm  plates  present.  Arm  spines  rough  and  skin- 
covered.  Tentacle  scales  wanting. 

Type-species, — Ophiophrixus  acanthinus. 

Although  this  genus  has  the  form  and  general  appearance  of  Ophio- 
myxa,  it  is  evident  from  the  mouth  parts  that  it  is  not  really  very 
nearly  related  to  that  group.  The  notable  radial  shields  and  the 
absence  of  upper  arm  plates  are  further  obvious,  but  not  so  essential, 
differences. 

OPHIOPHRIXUS  ACANTHINUS,  new  species.^ 

Disk  12  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  80  to  85  mm.  long.  Disk 
covered  with  a  thin  skin  carrying,  near  center,  a  few  scattered  scales, 


FIG.  137.—  OPHIOPHRIXUS  ACANTHINUS.    x  4.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO 

ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

each  of  which  bears  a  minute  spine.  Radial  shields  narrow,  and  com- 
pressed into  a  distinct  ridge,  well  separated,  parallel;  each  one  carries 
six  or  seven  erect,  acute  spines.  Between  distal  ends  of  radial 
shields  of  each  pair  are  two  large  calcareous  plates  in  contact  with 
each  other.  Upper  arm  plates  wanting,  but  arm  bones  show  through 
thin  skin  of  arm.  Interbrachial  spaces  below  naked.  Genital  slits 
large.  Oral  shields  rather  large,  triangular,  with  curved  lateral  mar- 
gins, about  as  long  as  wide.  Adoral  plates  large,  much  broader 
without  than  within  where  they  meet.  Jaws  very  short,  each  with 
a  double  series  of  rough  spiniform  teeth,  below  which,  at  apex  of 
jaw,  are  four  or  five  small,  blunt  tooth  papillae,  irregularly  arranged; 


f,  signifying  thorny,  in  reference  to  the  appearance  of  the  arms. 
34916°—  Bull.  75—11  -  18 


274  BULLETIN   75,   UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

on  each  side  of  jaw,  there  are  often  to  be  found  one  or  two  small 
blunt  tubercles,  which  may  be  regarded  as  rudimentary  oral  papillae. 
First  under  arm  plate  wider  than  long;  second  and  third  about 
square;  succeeding  plates  more  or  less  indistinct,  each  with  a  deep 
median  notch  in  distal  margin.  Side  arm  plates  small  and  narrow; 
each  plate  carries  four  slender,  acute,  thorny,  skin-covered  spines; 
next  to  uppermost  longest  and  equal  to  two  joints.  Tentacle  pores 
large  but  tentacle  scales  none.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  yellow 
brown. 

Locality. — Albatross  station  3704,  off  Seno  Umi,  Honshu  Island, 
Japan,  94  to  150  fathoms,  fine  volcanic  sand,  1  specimen. 

Type.— Cut.  No.  25713,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  3704. 

This  unique  specimen,  one  of  the  most  interesting  in  the  whole  col- 
lection, is  unusually  well  preserved,  so  that  its  characters  are  easily 
made  out.  Although  it  looks  more  like  an  OpJiiomyxa  than  an 
Ophiobyrsa,  on  account  of  the  shorter  and  wider  arms,  its  real  rela- 
tionships are  probably  nearer  the  latter  genus. 

OPHIOCYNODUS,  new  genus.« 

Disk  covered  with  naked  skin.  Radial  shields,  upper  arm  plates 
and  tentacle  scales  wanting.  Teeth,  tooth  papillae  and  oral  papillae 
alike,  spiniform,  rough  at  tip. 

Type-species. — Ophiocynodus  corynetes. 

This  genus  presents  a  really  remarkable  combination  of  characters, 
for  while  its  general  appearance  resembles  Opliiomyxa,  the  mouth 
parts  and  the  absence  of  radial  shields  and  upper  arm  plates  show 
it  is  no  near  relative  of  that  group. 

OPHIOCYNODUS  CORYNETES,  new  species.6 

Disk  30  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  160  mm.  long.  Disk  covered 
with  a  naked  skin  on  which  are  scattered  some  calcareous  grains. 
Radial  shields  wanting,  but  expanded  upper  ends  of  genital  plates 
show  through  the  skin  at  base  of  arm.  No  upper  arm  plates.  Inter- 
brachial  spaces  below,  naked.  Oral  shields  small,  longer  than  wide, 
wider  within  than  without.  Adoral  plates  large,  three  times  as  long 
as  wide;  oral  plates  large.  Teeth,  tooth  papillae,  and  oral  papillae 
all  alike,  rather  numerous,  spiniform  and  rough  at  tip;  upper  teeth 
largest;  distal  oral  papillae  smallest.  Under  arm  plates  large,  dis- 
tinct, except  first  two  longer  than  wide.  Side  arm  plates  small, 
each  with  three  subequal  spines,  nearly  equal. to  two  joints;  upper- 
most spine  pointed,  lowest  club-shaped  with  a  marked  swelling  at 
tip;  middle  spine  intermediate;  all  spines  are  rough  at  tip,  and  more 

a  Ofao  and  Ktjvddotjf,  signifying  canine  tooth,  in  reference  to  the  epiniform  teeth  and 
oral  papillae. 

&  KopuvrjTrjf,  signifying  a  club-bearer  in  reference  to  the  form  of  the  lower  arm 
spines. 


NORTH   PACIFIC    OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK.       275 

or  less  skin-covered.  Tentacle  pores  very  large  but  tentacle  scales 
none.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  disk,  deep  brown,  arms  yellowish 
or  dirty  whitish. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  3071,  off  Washington,  lat.  47°  29'  N.; 
long.  125°  33 '  30"  W.,  685  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature 
38°,  1  specimen;  station  3347,  off  Washington,  lat.  45°  9'  35 '^N.; 
long.  124°  45'  W.,  345  fathoms,  mud,  bottom  temperature  40.9°, 
1  specimen. 

Type.—C&t.  No.  25607,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  3347. 

It  is  unfortunate  that  both  of  the  specimens  are  badly  damaged, 
the  disk  being  entirely  gone  in  the  smaller  specimen  and  more  -than 
three-fifths  gone  in  the  larger.  In  spite  of  this  defect,  however,  the 
larger  specimen  shows  its  unique  characters  very  clearly,  so  that  I 
have  not  hesitated  to  base  the  new  species  and  genus  upon  it.  Most 


FIG.  138.— OPHIOCYNODUS  CORYNETES.    x  2.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  b,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO 

ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

of  the  lower  arm  spines  are  much  more  conspicuously  clubbed  and 
thorny  at  the  tip  than  is  shown  in  the  figures.  Better  specimens 
may  reveal  scales  present  in  the  skin  of  the  disk. 

OPHIOSYZYGUS,  new  genus.« 

Disk  covered  with  skin  in  which  are  embedded,  at  least  near  margin, 
numerous  minute  delicate  scales,  on  which  are  borne  larger  calcare- 
ous granules.  Radial  shields,  upper  arm  plates,  and  tentacle  scales 
wanting.  Arm  spines  few,  with  upper  ones  successively  united  to 
each  other  by  a  broad,  thin,  horizontal  membrane.  Teeth  reduced 
to  cluster  of  few,  minute,  rough  spinelets  at  apex  of  jaw.  Oral 
papillaB  small  and  few,  but  distinct,  not  like  teeth. 

a"0(f>w  and  ourufo^,  signifying  joined  together,  in  reference  to  the  uniting  of  the  arm 
spines  by  membrane. 


276 


BULLETIN   75,   UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 


Type-species . — OpTiiosyzygus  disacanthus. 

Although  this  genus  is  doubtless  rather  nearly  related  to  OpTiiocy- 
nodus,  the  disk  structure  being  essentially  the  same  in  the  two,  the 
difference  in  mouth  parts  is  too  marked  to  allow  them  to  be  united, 
even  if  the  remarkable  web  on  the  arm. spines  of  Ophiosyzygus  be 
ignored. 

OPHIOSYZYGUS  DISACANTHUS,  new  species,  a 

Disk  16  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  60  mm.  long  probably. 
Disk  covered  with  an  apparently  naked  skin,  which  under  a  micro- 
scope is  seen  to  contain  numerous  thin  scales,  and  bears  scattered 
calcareous  granules.  Radial  shields  wanting,  but  expanded  ends  of 
genital  plates  are  conspicuous  through  skin  at  base  of  each  arm. 
Upper  arm  plates  wanting.  Interbrachial  spaces  below  naked. 
Genital  slits  small.  Oral  shields  small,  about  as  long  as  wide.  Adoral 


FIG.  139.—  OPHIOSYZYGUS  DISACANTHUS.    X  3.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  6,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO 

ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

plates  large,  much  wider  without  than  within  where  they  meet. 
Oral  papillae,  about  three  on  a  side,  at  distal  end  of  mouth  slit,  small, 
almost  conical,  acute.  Teeth  (tooth  papillae  ?)  few,  irregular  in  num- 
ber, size,  and  position,  spiniform  with  rough  tips,  clustered  at  apex  of 
j  aw.  Under  arm  plates  longer  than  wide,  somewhat  tetragonal, 
distinct  at  base  of  arm,  but  quickly  becoming  very  thin  and  indistinct, 
especially  proximally.  Side  arm  plates  low  but  becoming  very  long 
distally,  each  bearing  on  its  swollen,  distal  end,  two  spines,  of  which 
upper  equals  (at  base  of  arm)  two  joints  and  lower  is  distinctly 
shorter;  spines,  slender,  acute.  Upper  spine  on  each  joint  connected 
with  adjoining  upper  spines  by  a  thin,  broad,  horizontal  membrane, 


«  dlf,  signifying  twice  and 
of  arm  spines. 


signifying  spine,  in  reference  to  the  number 


NOKTH   PACIFIC   OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK.       277 

which  extends  out  well  beyond  middle  of  spine,  thus  forming  a  sort 
of  "fin"  on  each  side  of  arm;  each  lower  spine  is  connected  with 
upper  spine  of  same  joint  by  a  narrow  membrane;  these  little  vertical 
"fins"  are  much  less  conspicuous,  however,  than  the  horizontal  one 
above  them.  Tentacle  pores  very  large  but  tentacle  scales  none. 
Color  (dried  from  alcohol) ,  disk  brown,  spotted  with  white  calcareous 
granules;  arms  nearly  white. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  4934,  off  Kagoshima  Gulf,  lat.  30° 
58'  30"  N.;  long.  130°  32'  E.,  103  to  152  fathoms,  rocky,  bottom 
temperature  60.6°  to  56°,  1  specimen;  station  4936,  off  Kagoshima 
Gulf,  lat.  30°  54'  40"  N.;  long.  130°  37'  30"  E.,  103  fathoms,  stones, 
bottom  temperature  60.6°,  1  specimen;  station  5094,  Uraga  Strait, 
lat.  35°  4'  42"  N.;  long.  139°  38'  20"  E.,  88  fathoms,  black  sand, 
broken  shells,  bottom  temperature  54.8°,  1  specimen. 

Type.— Cut.  No.  25671,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4934. 

The  disk  of  the  type  is  badly  damaged,  while  the  arms  are  fairly 
well  preserved.  The  specimen  from  station  4936  has  a  pretty  good 
disk  but  the  arms  are  in  poor  condition  and  fail  to.  show  the  webs. 
The  specimen  from  station  5094  is  so  badly  damaged  it  is  not  certain 
that  it  belongs  to  this  species.  Judging  from  the  arm  structure  of 
the  type,  it  seems  as  though  this  species  ought  to  be  able  to  swim, 
and  it  is  quite  possible  that  such  is  its  regular  mode  of  locomotion. 
Observations  on  its  habits  would  be  most  interesting. 

OPHIOHYMEN,  new  genus.« 

Disk  and  arms  covered  with  naked  skin.  Radial  shields  and  upper 
arm  plates  wanting.  Mouth  parts  as  in  Ophiomyxa.  Arm  spines 
connected  vertically  by  membranes  and  upper  ones  also  connected 
horizontally. 

Type-species. — Ophiohymen  gymnodiscus. 

This  genus  is  a  curious  connecting  link  between  Ophiosyzygus, 
which  it  resembles  in  disk  and  arm  structure,  and  Ophiomyxa.  which 
it  is  like  in  its  mouth  parts. 

OPHIOHYMEN  GYMNODISCUS,  new  species.^ 

Disk  8  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  35  mm.  long.  Disk  and  arms 
covered  with  a  thick  skin,  extending  also  over  interbrachial  spaces 
below,  lower  surface  of  arms  and  jaws  and  even  to  tips  of  oral  papillae. 
No  radial  shields,  upper  arm  plates  or  tentacle  scales.  Upper  ends  of 
genital  plates  scarcely  visible  at  base  of  arms,  from  above,  but  genital 
scales  extending  into  interbrachial  spaces,  plainly  visible  from  below 

«v#</>.'o  and  i/ir}v,  signifying  membrane  in  reference  to  membrane  connecting  arm 
spines. 

b  Fo^of,  signifying  naked,  and  dlaKof,  signifying  disk,  in  reference  to  the  perfectly 
bare  disk. 


278 


BULLETIN   75,   UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 


(fig.  140&).  Outlines  of  under  arm  plates  indistinct;  apparently  they 
are  wider' than  long.  Oral  shields  large,  about  as  long  as  wide.  Ado- 
ral  plates  long  and  narrow,  almost  L-shaped;  oral  plates  well  devel- 
oped. Genital  slits  long.  Oral  papillae  about  five  on  a  side,  most 
proximal  largest,  rounded  and  finely  serrate  at  tip.  Teeth  large,  flat, 
with  rounded  and  serrate  tips.  Arm  spines  three,  lowest  slightly 
longest  equalling  joint,  and  middle  one  usually  shortest;  each  vertical 
series  of  three  are  joined  to  each  other  by  a  membrane,  reaching 
nearly  to  their  tips;  in  addition,  all  uppermost  spines  are  joined  to 
each  other  by  a  narrow  horizontal  membrane,  which  reaches  to  or 
beyond  middle  of  spines.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  dull  purplish- 
red,  arms  indistinctly  banded  with  yellowish. 

Locality —Albatross  station  4903,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  31'  10"  N.; 
long.  128°  33'  20"  E.,  107  to  139  fathoms,  gray  sand,  broken  shells, 
bottom  temperature  52.9°  (?),  1  specimen. 

Type.—C&t.  No.  25537,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4903. 

This  specimen  is  badly  damaged,  most  of  the  disk  being  gone,  but 


FIG.  140.—  OPHIOHYMEN  GYMNODISCUS.    X  6.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  b,  FROM  BELOW;   c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO 

ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

its  characters  seem  to  be  well  shown  nevertheless.  Further  material 
is  necessary  to  determine  some  points  of  structure,  and  observations 
on  living  material  can  alone  show  what  the  functions  of  the  arm 
membranes  are.  It  is  easy  to  suppose  they  are  natatorial. 

OPHIOLEPTOPLAX,  new  genus." 

Disk  and  arms  covered  by  naked  skin.     Radial  shields  wanting. 
Upper  arm  plates  apparently  present  in  form  of  very  thin,  transpar- 

,  signifying  plate,  in  reference  to  the  thin 


a   0$to  and  h-mfc,  signifying  thin,  and 
transparent  upper  arm  plates. 


NORTH   PACIFIC    OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK.       279 

ent  scales.  Oral  papillae  very  few  and  small.  Teeth  reduced  to  a 
small  cluster  at  apex  of  jaw.  No  tentacle  scales. 

Type-species. — OpJiioleptoplax  megapora. 

The  specimen  upon  which  this  genus  rests  is  probably  immature, 
but  I  can  not  refer  it  to  any  known  species  or  genus.  In  its  mouth 
parts  it  is  very  near  OpMosyzygus,  but  its  arm  structure  is  quite  differ- 
ent. Yet  I  am  not  satisfied  that  the  supposed  upper  arm  plates  are 
really  homologous  with  the  upper  arm  plates  of  other  genera.  They 
are  certainly  not  calcareous  and  they  may  be  nothing  but  skin 
thickenings  on  each  joint.  Their  appearance  in  this  specimen  may 
be  an  individual  peculiarity. 


FIG.  141.  —  OPHIOLEPTOPLAX  MEGAPORA.    x  8.    a,  FROM  ABOVE;  b,  FROM  BELOW;  c,  SIDE  VIEW  OF  TWO 

ARM  JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

OPHIOLEPTOPLAX  MEGAPORA,  new  species.o 

Disk  6  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  25  mm.  long.  Disk  covered 
with  a  thick,  naked  skin.  Radial  shields  wanting,  but  upper  ends 
of  genital  plates  are  visible  at  base  of  each  arm.  Upper  arm  plates 
represented  by  what  appear  to  be  very  thin  transparent  noncalca- 
reous  scales,  squarish  in  outline  and  rather  wider  than  long;  arm 
bones  plainly  visible  through  them.  Interbrachial  spaces  below 
naked.  Genital  slits  small.  Oral  shields  very  small,  wider  than  long. 
Adoral  plates  very  large,  much  wider  without  than  within.  Oral 
papillae,  one  to  three  on  each  side,  minute,  sharp  conical  spinelets. 
Teeth  (tooth  papillae?)  reduced  to  a  small  cluster  at  apex  of  jaw,  of 
very  small,  rough-pointed  spinelets.  Under  arm  plates  longer  than 

,  signifying  big,  and  xopoc,  signifying  a  pore,  in  reference  to  the  large  tenta- 


cle pores. 


280  BULLETIN   75,   UNITED   STATES    NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

wide,  with  deeply  concave  sides,  on  account  of  the  huge  tentacle  pores, 
which  have  no  tentacle  scales.  Side  arm  plates  low,  each  with  three 
subequal,  cylindrical,  blunt  spines,  a  trifle  longer  than  joint.  Color 
(dried  from  alcohol),  disk  brown;  arms  whitish. 

Locality. — Albatross  station  4888,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  26'  N. ;  long. 
129°  27'  30"  E.,  71  fathoms,  dark  gray  sand,  broken  shells,  bottom 
temperature  59.7°,  1  specimen. 

Type.— Cat.  No.  25619,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4888. 

This  specimen  is  well  preserved  but  I  think  it  is  immature  and  the 
validity  not  only  of  the  genus,  but  of  the  species  as  well,  must  remain 
doubtful  until  further  material  is  obtained. 

Family  ASTEOPHYTID^. 

ASTEROPORPA  HADRACANTHA,  new  species.a 

Disk  7  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  35  mm.  long.  Disk  covered 
with  small  unequal  granules,  among  which  some  at  center  are  largest; 
in  type,  six  primary  plates  are  very  obvious,  but  these  are  not  usually 
distinguishable  with  ease.  Radial  shields  concealed  but  forming 
five  conspicuous  wedge-shaped  divisions  of  disk,  upon  which  double 
parallel  series,  of  smooth  and  hook-bearing  granules  alternate;  gran- 
ules between  wedges  smooth.  Uppe^  surface  of  arms  covered  like 
radial  wedges  by  alternating  series  of  smooth  and  hook-bearing 
granules ;  although  the  bands  of  smooth  granules  are  really  decidedly 
wider  than  those  of  hook-bearing  granules,  the  latter  seem  wider 
because  the  most  distal  and  most  proximal  row  of  smooth  granules 
form  an  elevated  border  to  the  hook-bearing  bands  which  are  thus  set 
above  and  made  more  conspicuous  than  the  smooth  ones.  Inter- 
brachial  spaces  below  large,  covered,  as  is  all  of  oral  surface,  by  a  pave- 
ment of  granules.  Genital  slits  small,  oblique  but  approaching  vertical. 
Teeth  and  tooth  papillae  longer  and  more  slender  than  oral  papillae, 
which  are  few,  short,  and  pointed.  Under  surface  of  arms  paved 
with  granules.  First  pair  of  tentacle  pores  of  arm,  small,  unprotected ; 
succeeding  pores  protected  by  a  ridge  carrying  tentacle  scales  or 
arm  spines.  Second  pore  has  two  or  three  such  scales,  third  three 
or  four,  and  succeeding  pores  five  or  six  such  spinelets;  they  are 
short  and  thick,  lowest  particularly  so  and  about  as  thick  as  long, 
thorny  with  glassy  points  at  tip.  Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  very 
light  brown  or  nearly  white. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  3727,  off  Omai  Zaki,  Honshu  Island, 
Japan,  34  fathoms,  mud,  coarse  sand,  broken  shells,  2  specimens; 

a  'Adpoc,  signifying  stout,  and  aKavOa,  signifying  spine,  in  reference  to  the  short, 
thick  arm  spines.  As  Orstedt  and  Liitken's  original  spelling,  " Asteroporpa," 
is  philologically  correct,  it  ought  to  be  used  rather  than  the  contracted  form,  "  Astro- 
porpa." 


NORTH   PACIFIC   OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM  —  CLARK. 


station  3730,  off  Omai  Zaki,  Honshu  Island,  Japan,  34  to  37  fathoms, 
mud,  gravel,  rocks,  1  specimen;  station  3764,  off  Suno  Saki,  Honshu 
Island,  Japan,  44  to  50  fathoms,  fine  gravel,  broken  shells,  1  specimen  ; 
station  4936,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  30°  54'  40"  N.;  long.  130°  37'  30"  E., 
103  fathoms,  stones,  bottom  temperature  60.6°,  1  specimen.  Bathy- 
metrical  range,  34  to  103  fathoms.  Five  specimens. 

Type—  Cat.  No.  25727,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  3764. 

It  is  a  matter  of  no  little  interest  to  find  this  genus  occurring  off 
the  coast  of  Japan,  for  it  was  previously  known  only  from  the  West 
Indies  and  Australia.  The  present  species  differs  from  those  pre- 


FlG.  142.— ASTEROPORPA  HADBACANTHA.      X  7.      d,  FROM  ABOVE;  b,  FROM  BELOW;  C,  STDE  VIEW  OF  THKEE 

JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

viously  known  in  its  very  short  and  thick  arm  spines,  the  lowest  one 
on  the  basal  part  of  the  arm  being  particularly  characteristic.  It  is 
interesting  to  find  that  in  the  relative  width  of  the  alternate  bands 
of  granules  on  the  arm  the  Japanese  species  does  not  resemble  the 
Australian  form.  Comparison  of  fig.  142  with  that  of  A.  aus- 
tralianus  a  shows  how  distinct  the  two  species  are. 

ASTROCHELE  L.EVIS,  new  species.6 

Disk  20  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  100  mm.  long,  probably. 
Disk  high,  convex,  covered  with  a  thick,  uniform  coat  of  flattened, 

a  Mem.  Aust.  Mus.,  vol.  4,  pi.  54,  fig.  2. 

bLsevis,  signifying  smooth,  in  reference  to  the  relatively  low  and  flat  disk  granules. 


282 


BULLETIN    75,   UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 


slightly  convex  granules.  Radial  shields  completely  covered,  but 
their  presence  indicated  by  five  pairs  of  conspicuous  ridges,  extend- 
ing from  arm  bases  to  center  of  disk.  Margin  of  disk  formed  by  a 
calcareous  thickening  which  bears  large  granules  like  those  on  radia 
shields.  None  of  the  granules  are  conical  or  spine-bearing.  Upper 
surface  of  arm  covered  by  alternating,  but  not  clearly  defined,  bands 
of  smooth  and  hook-bearing  granules ;  smooth  granules  not  crowded, 
scattered;  hook-bearing  granules  more  regularly  arranged  in  two 
rather  crowded  series.  Whole  oral  surface  covered  by  granule- 
bearing  skin,  with  granules  thickest  on  inter brachial  spaces.  Gen- 
ital slits  moderate,  with  a  large  genital  scale  along  distal  half  of  inner 
margin.  A  single  oral  shield  (madreporite)  can  be  distinguished. 
Adoral  and  oral  plates  usually  skin  covered.  Teeth  and  tooth  pa- 
pillae rather  numerous,  longer  and  more  spiniform  than  the  few 
scattered  oral  papillae.  Under  arm  plates  distinguishable  on  basal 


FlG.  143.— ASTEOCHELE  L^EVIS.      X  2.5.      a,  FROM  ABOVE;    6,  FROM  BELOW;    C,  SIDE    VIEW  OF   THREE  ARM 

JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

joints  of  arms  in  some  specimens,  but  usually  wholly  concealed. 
Basal  tentacle  pores  of  arm  minute  and  unprotected;  second  pair 
with  two  or  three  short,  thick,  flattened  arm  spines  (tentacle  scales  ?) 
which  carry  little  glassy  points  at  tip;  succeeding  pores  with  three 
or  four  (sometimes  five)  such  spinelets,  of  which  innermost  is  largest, 
borne  on  a  low,  thick  ridge  just  proximal  to  pore.  Color  (dried  from 
alcohol),  cream- white  to  deep  yellow. 

Localities.— Albatross  station  3317,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  53°  57'  40"  N.; 
long.  166°  59'  W.,  165  fathoms,  coarse  sand,  gravel,  rocks,  bottom 
temperature  39.5°,  1  specimen;  station  3319,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  53°  40' 
30"  N.;  long.  167°  30'  W,  59  fathoms,  black  sand,  bottom  tem- 
perature 40.8°,  8  specimens;  station  3480,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  52°  6'  N.; 
long.  171°  45'  W.,  283  fathoms,  black  sand,  coral,  rocky,  5  specimens; 
station  4771,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  30'  N.;  long.  179°  17'  E.,  426 
fathoms,  broken  shells,  4  specimens;  station  4781,  Bering  Sea,  lat. 


NORTH   PACIFIC    OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK.       283 

52°  14'  30"  N.;  long.  174°  13'  E.,  482  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  peb- 
bles, bottom  temperature  38.6°,  4  specimens.  Bathymetrical  range, 
59  to  482  fathoms.  Temperature  range,  40.8°  to  38.6°.  Twenty-two 
specimens. 

Type.— Cat,.  No.  25716,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  3319. 

It  is  most  interesting  to  find  this  genus,  hitherto  known  onlyjrom 
the  western  Atlantic,  in  the  Pacific  Ocean  off  Alaska.  The  Alaskan 
species  is  very  nearly  allied  to  lymani  from  the  Atlantic,  but  judging 
from  the  material  available  to  me  it  differs  distinctly  in  the  flat, 
convex  disk  grains ;  in  lymani  many  of  the  disk  grains  are  conical  and 
some  are  almost  spine-like,  especially  on  the  radial  shields  and  disk 
margin.  The  teeth  and  tooth  papillae  of  l&vis  are  more  slender  and 
spiniform  than  they  are  in  lymani,  and  the  skin  which  covers  the 
whole  animal  is  thicker  and  more  full  of  granules  in  Isevis.  None  of 
these  differences  is  very  radical  and  more  abundant  material  may  show 
that  the  two  forms  are  not  really  specifically  distinct.  The  specimens 
of  Ise.vis  before  me  range  from  8  to  20  mm.  in  disk  diameter. 

OPHIOCREAS  CEDIPUS. 

Ophiocreas  cedipus  LYMAN,  Bull.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  vol.  6,  1879,  p.  65. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  4979,  off  eastern  Japan,  lat.  33°  53' 
N.;  long.  137°  42'  E.,  943  fathoms, brown  mud, fine  sand, foraminif era, 
bottom  temperature  36.4°,  1  specimen;  station  5079,  off  Omai  Saki 
light,  Japan,  lat.  34°  15'  N.;  long.  138°  E.,  475  to  505  fathoms, 
pebbles,  bottom  temperature  39.1°,  2  specimens. 

The  specimen  from  station  4979  is  small,  about  9  mm.  across  the 
disk,  dirty  whitish,  and  has  low,  blunt  oral  papillae.  The  specimens 
from  station  5079  are  5  and  20  mm.,  respectively,  across  the  disk,  and 
are  deep  purplish  brown ;  the  smaller  has  a  few  oral  papillae  in  the 
mouth  angles,  but  the  larger  has  none.  None  of  the  specimens  has 
any  unusual  swelling  at  base  of  arms,  but  aside  from  that  fact  the  large 
one  answers  very  well  to  Lyman's  description  and  figures.  As  the 
swelling  of  the  arm  bases  is  probably  associated  with  the  full  develop- 
ment of  the  reproductive  organs,  it  does  not  seem  to  me  that  its 
presence  or  absence  can  be  considered  a  specific  character.  It  is 
probably  best,  therefore,  to  consider  the  large  specimen  before  me  an 
example  of  oedipus.  In  spite  of  its  oral  papillae  the  little  specimen 
from  the  same  station  seems  to  be  undoubtedly  identical,  and  there- 
fore I  can  not  regard  the  specimen  from  station  4979,  in  which  oral 
papillae  are  well  developed,  as  a  different  species,  even  though  its 
color  also  is  quite  different.  But  it  is  possible,  nevertheless,  that  more 
abundant  material  would  show  this  latter  specimen  to  be  specifically 
distinct. 


284  BULLETIN   75,   UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

ASTROCERAS  PERGAMENA. 
Astroceras  pergamena  LYMAN,  Bull.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  vol.  6,  1879,  p.  62. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  3716,  off  Ose  Zaki,  Honshu  Island, 
Japan,  65  to  125  fathoms,  volcanic  sand,  shells,  rocks^  17  specimens; 
station  3729,  off  Omai  Zaki,  Honshu  Island,  Japan,  34  fathoms,  mud, 
gravel,  1  specimen;  station  3730,  off  Omai  Zaki,  Honshu  Island, 
Japan,  34  to  37  fathoms,  mud,  gravel,  rocks,  5  specimens;  station 
3735,  off  Omai  Zaki,  Honshu  Island,  Japan,  36  fathoms,  coarse  gray 
volcanic  sand,  broken  shells,  33  specimens;  station  3755,  off  Suno 
Saki,  Honshu  Island,  Japan,  52  to  77  fathoms,  gray  sand,  coral,  4 
specimens;  station  4893,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  32'  N.;  long.  128°  32' 
50"  E.,  95  to  106  fathoms,  gray  sand,  broken  shells,  pebbles,  bottom 
temperature  55.9°,  3  specimens;  station  4894,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32° 
33'  N.;  long.  128°  32'  10"  E.,  95  fathoms,  gray  sand,  broken  shells, 
pebbles,'  2  specimens;  station  4895,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  33'  10"  N.; 
long.  128°  32'  10"  E.,  95  fathoms,  gray  sand,  broken  shells,  pebbles, 

1  specimen;  station  4936,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  30°  54'  40"  N.;  long.  130° 
37'  30"  E.,  103  fathoms,  stones,  bottom  temperature  60.6°,  1  speci- 
men; station  5070,  Suruga  Gulf, lat.  35°  3"  25"  N.;  long.  138°  47'  40" 
E.,  108  fathoms,  mud,  sand,  broken  shells,  bottom  temperature  57.6°, 

2  specimens.     Bathymetrical  range,  34  to  125  fathoms.     Tempera- 
ture range,  60.6°  to  55.9°.     Sixty-nine  specimens. 

This  is  a  remarkably  interesting  series  of  specimens  ranging  in 
disk  diameter  from  1  to  8  mm.  The  smallest  specimens  have  no 
tubercles  on  either  radial  shields  or  arms,  but  these  appear  most 
irregularly  with  increasing  size,  those  on  the  radial  shields  appearing 
first,  but  some  of  those  on  the  basal  joints  of  the  arm  may  appear 
before  all  the  radial  shields  have  them;  thus  in  a  specimen  5  mm. 
across  the  disk  there  are  tubercles  on  the  basal  joints  of  all  the  arms 
but  only  on  four  of,  the  radial  shields.  Another  specimen  5  mm. 
across  has  each  of  the  radial  shields  provided  with  a  tubercle,  as  in 
Lyman's  type,  and  similar  ones  are  present  on  the  two  basal  joints  of 
each  arm.  In  the  specimens  8  mm.  across  the  disk,  the  tubercles  are 
present  but  not  equally  developed,  on  the  basal  six  or  seven  joints  of 
each  arm.  On  the  disk  and  arms  of  the  smallest  specimens  are 
minute,  round,  calcareous  granules,  and  on  the  arms  these  are  arranged 
in  very  regular  transverse  rows,  corresponding  to  the  upper  arm 
plates.  As  growth  goes  on  and  the  large  tubercles  appear  these 
granules  disappear,  first  from  the  disk  and  then  from  the  base  of  the 
arm,  but  even  in  the  largest  specimen  they  are  abundant  beyond  the 
basal  part  of  the  arm.  Lyman  does  not  refer  to  their  presence  in  the 
type-specimen,  which  was  19  mm.  across  the  disk,  so  that  it  is  prob- 
able they  ultimately  all  disappear. 

Another  most  interesting  fact  revealed  by  the  series  before  me  is 
that  the  young  Astroceras  has/ like  many  specimens  of  Amphiuridae, 


NORTH   PACIFIC    OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK.       285 

six  arms.  The  specimens  under  5  mm.  across  the  disk  all  have  six 
arms,  except  two  which  have  seven,  while  those  above  that  size  have 
only  five.  Furthermore,  the  six  arms  are  not  of  equal  size,  but  three 
are  large  and  three  are  small,  often  very  small,  indicating  that  repro- 
duction by  fission  has  taken  place.  None  of  the  specimens  reveals 
how  the  six-armed  young  becomes  the  symmetrical  five-armed  adult, 
but  in  two  specimens  the  middle  arm  of  the  smaller  trio  is  distinctly 
smaller  than  its  two  neighbors,  and  it  may  be  that  this  middle  arm  is 
ultimately  resorbed  or  lost  by  autotomy.  The  study  of  the  actual 
development  of  Astroceras,  taking  into  account  the  plane  of  sym- 
metry of  both  larva  and  adult,  would  prove  most  interesting  and 
important. 

ASTERONYX  LOVENI. 

Asteronyx®  loveni  MULLER  and  TROSCHEL,  Sys.  Ast.,  1842,  p.  119. 

Localities.— Albatross  station  2860,  off  Washington,  lat.  51°  23'  N. ; 
long.  130°  34'  W.,  876  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  36.5°, 
65  specimens;  station  2861,  off  Washington,  lat.  51°  14'  N.;  long. 
129°  50'  W.,  204  fathoms,  bottom  temperature  42.6°,  3  specimens; 
station  3069,  off  Washington,  lat.  47°  25'  30"  N.;  long.  125°  42' W.7 
760  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  37.6°,  3  specimens; 
station  3075,  off  Washington,  lat.  47°  22'  N.;  long.  125°  41'  W.,  859 
fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  36.6°,  13  specimens;  station 
3112,  off  California,  lat.  37°  8' N.;  long.  122°  47' W.,  296  fathoms,  fine 
gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  41.8°,  40  specimens;  station  3126,  off 
California,  lat.  36°  49'  20"  N.;  long.  122°  12'  30"  W.,  456  fathoms, 
green  mud,  bottom  temperature  42.8°,  3  specimens;  station  3128,  off 
California,  lat.  36°  41'  50"  N.;  long.  122°  7'  30"  W.,  627  fathoms, 
blue  mud,  bottom  temperature  38.9°,  4  specimens;  station  3338,  off 
Alaska,  lat.  54°  19'  N.;  long.  159°  40'  W.,  625  fathoms,  green  mud, 
sand,  bottom  temperature,  37.3°,  277  specimens;  station  3489, 
Bering  Sea,  lat.  57°  N.;  long.  173°  14'  W.,  184  fathoms,  green  mud, 
gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  38.5°,  4  specimens;  station  3670,  off 
Monterey,  CaL,  lat.  36°  43'  N.;  long.  122°  12'  W.,  581  fathoms,  green 
mud,  sand,  bottom  temperature  37.8°,  1  specimen;  station  3749,  off 
Suno  Saki,  Honshu  Island,  Japan,  83  to  158  fathoms,  black  sand, 
shells,  16  specimens;  station  3784,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  32'  N.;  long. 
178°  31'  E.,  850  fathoms,  green  mud,  fine  gray  sand,  1  specimen; 
station  4781,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  52°  14'  30"  N.;  long.  174°  13'  E.,  482 
fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  38.6°,  1  sped-' 
men;  station  4957,  off  southern  Japan,  lat.  32°  36'  N. ;  long.  132°  23'  E., 
437  fathoms,  green-brown  mud,  fine  gray  sand,  foraminifera,  bottom 
temperature  39.8°,  2  specimens;  station  4959,  off  southern  Japan,  lat. 

a  The  name  has  very  commonly  been  contracted  to  "Astronyx,"  but  as  Mtiller  and 
Troschel's  spelling  is  philologically  correct  it  ought  to  be  retained. 


286  BULLETIN   75,   UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

32°  36'  30"  N.;  long.  132°  23'  20"  E.,  405  to  578  fathoms,  green- 
brown  mud,  fine  gray  sand,  foraminifera,  bottom  temperature  40.1°  to 
38.7°,  1  specimen;  station  4960,  off  southern  Japan,  lat.  32°  34'  N.; 
long.  132°  21'  45"  E.,  578  fathoms,  green-brown  mud,  fine  gray  sand, 
foraminifera,  bottom  temperature  38.7°,  2  specimens;  station  4969, 
off  eastern  Japan,  lat.  33°  23'  40"  N.;  long.  135°  33'  E.,  587  fathoms, 
brown  mud,  sand,  stones,  bottom  temperature  38.9°,  13  specimens; 
station  4970,  off  eastern  Japan,  lat.  33°  23'  30"  N. ;  long.  135°  36'  30" 
E.,  500  to  649  fathoms,  brown  mud,  black  sand,  shells,  bottom  tem- 
perature 39.1°,  1  specimen;  station  4971,  off  eastern  Japan,  lat. 
33°  23'  30"  N.;  long.  135°  34'  E.,  649  fathoms,  brown-green  mud, 
foraminifera,  bottom  temperature  38.1°,  10  specimens;  station  4972, 
off  eastern  Japan,  lat.  33°  25'  45"  1J. ;  long.  135°  33'  E.,  440  fathoms, 
brown-green  mud,  foraminifera,  bottom  temperature  39.8°,  3  speci- 
mens; station  4976,  off  eastern  Japan,  lat.  33°  22'  50"  N.;  long.  135° 
38'  30"  E.,  545  fathoms,  brown  mud,  small  stones,  bottom  tempera- 
ture 38.7°,  2  specimens;  station  4977,  off  eastern  Japan,  lat.  33°  23' 
N. ;  long.  135°  37'  40"  E.,  544  fathoms,  brown  mud,  fine  sand,  bottom 
temperature  38.9°,  4  specimens;  station  4980,  off  eastern  Japan,  lat. 
34°  9'  N.;  long.  137°  55'  E.,  507  fathoms,  brown  mud,  fine  sand, 
foraminifera,  bottom  temperature  39°,  4  specimens;  station  5015, 
Okhotsk  Sea,  lat.  46°  44'  N. ;  long.  144°  2'  E.,  510  fathoms,  green  mud, 
bottom  temperature  35.9°,  2  specimens;  station  5018,  Okhotsk  Sea, 
lat.  46°  41 '  30"  N.;  long.  143°  57'  40"  E.,  100  fathoms,  brown  mud, 
black  sand,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature  30.4°,  1  specimen;  station 
5029,  Okhotsk  Sea,  lat.  48°  22'  30"  N.;  long.  145°  43'  30"  E.,  440 
fathoms,  black  sand,  gravel,  bottom  temperature  35.3°,  10  specimens; 
station  5048,  off  Kinka  San  Light,  Japan,  lat.  38°  9'  24"  N.;  long. 
141°  52'  30"  E.,  129  fathoms,  dark  gray  sand,  broken  shells,  bottom 
temperature  40.7°,  1  specimen;  station  5079,  off  Omai  Saki,  Japan, 
lat.  34°  15'  N.:  long.  138°  E.,  475  to  505  fathoms,  pebbles,  bottom 
temperature  39.1°,  1  specimen;  station  5080,  off  Omai  Saki,  Japan, 
lat.  34°  10'  30"  N.;  long.  138°  40'  E.,  505  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand, 
globigerina,  bottom  temperature  38.7°,  5  specimens;  station  5082,  off 
Omai  Saki,  Japan,  lat.  34°  5'  N. ;  long.  137°  59'  E.,  662  fathoms,  green 
mud,  fine  sand,  globigerina,  bottom  temperature  37.7°,  2  specimens; 
station  5083,  off  Omai  Saki,  Japan,  lat.  34°  4'  20"  N.;  long.  137°  57' 
30"  E.,  624  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  globigerina,  bottom  temperature 
38.1°,  1  specimen;  station  5084,  off  Omai  Saki,  Japan,  lat.  34°  N.; 
long.  137°  49'  40"  E.,  918  fathoms,  green  mud,  fine  sand,  globigerina, 
bottom  temperature  36.8°,  2  specimens.  Bathymetrical  range,  83 
to  918  fathoms.  Temperature  range,  42.8°  to  30.4°.  Four  hundred 
and  ninety-eight  specimens. 

This  fine  series  of  specimens,  ranging  in  size  from  young  ones  only 
5  mm.  across  the  disk  up  to  huge  adults  45  mm.  in  disk  diameter,  has 


NOKTH    PACIFIC    OPHIUBANS    IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK.       287 

been  compared  with  European  and  West  Indian  specimens,  and  no 
differences,  other  than  those  of  age  and  individual  diversity,  have 
been  found.  I  have  also  examined  specimens  of  Liitken's  and  Mor- 
tensen's  three  Panamic  species  (dispar,  plana,  and  excavata)  and 
believe  they  are  quite  distinct.  The  north  Pacific  specimens  of  loveni 
show  great  diversity  in  the  relative  size  of  the  different  arms,  but,  as 
a  rule,  full-grown  specimens  have  one  or  two  of  the  arms  much 
broader  than  the  others.  Thus,  a  specimen  40  mm.  across  the  disk 
has  the  greatest  width  of  each  of  the  five  arms,  successively,  as  follows, 
9,  6,  7i,  6i,  and  5  mm.  Lutken  and  Mortensen  give  this  peculiarity 
as  the  striking  feature  of  dispar,  but  I  think  it  is  probably  a  charac- 
teristic of  sexually  mature  adults  of  any  species  in  the  genus.  Its 
degree  of  development  varies  greatly.  Two  extremes  may  be  given 
as  follows: 

Disk,  22  mm.  across;  arms  successively  8,  3,  3,  5,  and  3  mm.  broad. 

Disk,  30  mm.  across;  arms  successively  5,  4,  4J,  3J,  and  4  mm. 
broad. 

The  geographical  range  of  loveni  is  noteworthy,  for,  although  it  does 
not  appear  to  be  an  Arctic  or  subarctic  form,  it  occurs  in  the  north 
Atlantic  from  the  coast  of  Norway  southwestward  along  the  east 
coast  of  the  United  States  to  St.  Vincent  in  the  Lesser  Antilles;  in  the 
north  Pacific  from  Bering  Sea,  57°  N.,  to  Timor  on  the  south;  and  in 
the  Indian  Ocean  to  the  Laccadive  Islands  on  the  west.  Yet  it  is 
apparently  wanting  in  the  Panamic  region  and  in  the  eastern  Atlantic, 
where  it  is  replaced  by  allied  species. 

TRICHASTER  PALMIFERUS. 

Euryale  palmiferum  LAMARCK,  Anim.  s.  Vert.,  vol.  2,  1816,  p.  539. 

Tricaster  palmifer  AGASSIZ,  Me"m.  Soc.  Sci.  Nat.  Neuchatel,  vol.  1,  1835,  p.  193. 

Trichaster  palmiferus  MULLER  and  TROSCHEL,  Sys.  Ast.,  1842,  p.  xiv  and  120. 

Localities.— Albatross  station  4929,  Colnett  Strait,  lat.  30°  12'  30" 
N.;  long.  130°  43'  E.,  84  fathoms,  broken  shells,  coral,  pebbles,  bottom 
temperature  74.8°,  2  specimens;  station  4931,  Cohiett  Strait,  lat. 
30°  12'  N.;  long.  130°  43'  40"  E.,  83  fathoms,  broken  shells,  pebbles, 
coral,  bottom  temperature  75.4°,  1  specimen. 

In  the  specimen  from  station  4931  each  radial  shield  carries  a  small 
conical  tubercle  at  its  distal  end.  Such  tubercles  are  wanting  in  the 
other  specimens. 

GORGONOCEPHALUS  CARYI. 

Astrophyton  caryi  LYMAN,  Proc.  Boston  Soc.  Nat.  Hist.,  vol.  7,  1860,  p.  424. 

Gorgonocephalns  caryi  LYMAX,  Challenger  Oph.,  1881,  p.  264. 

Astrophyton  stimpsonii  VERRILL,  Proc.  Boston   Soc.  Nat.  Hist.,  vol.  12,  1869, 

p.  388. 
Gorgonocephalus  japonicus  DODERLEIN,  Zool.  Anz.,  vol.  25,  1902,  p.  521. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  2844,  off  Alaska,  lat.  53°  56'  N.;  long. 
165°  40'  W.,  54  fathoms,  gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  42°,  15 


288  BULLETIN   75,   UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

specimens;  station  2847,  off  Alaska,  lat.  55°  1'  N.;  long.  160°  12'  W., 
48  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  42°,  3  specimens; 
station  2850,  off  Alaska,  lat.  54°  52'  N. ;  long.  159°  46'  W.,  21  fathoms, 
broken  shells,  bottom  temperature  48.2°,  1  specimen;  station  2852, 
off  Alaska,  lat.  55°  15'  N.;  long.  159°  37'  W.,  58  fathoms,  black  sand, 
bottom  temperature  41.8°,  29  specimens;  station  2853,  off  Alaska, 
lat.  56°  N.;  long.  154°  20'  W.,  159  fathoms,  gray  sand,  bottom  tem- 
perature 41°,  2  specimens;  station  2854,  off  Alaska,  lat.  56°  55'  N.; 
long.  153°  4'  W.,  60  fathoms,  black  sand,  bottom  temperature  42.8°, 
2  specimens;  station  2858,  off  Alaska,  lat.  58°  17'  N.;  long.  148°  36' 
W.,  230  fathoms,  blue  mud,  gravel,  bottom  temperature  39.8°, 

1  specimen;  station  2870,  off  Washington,  lat.  46°  44'  N.;  long.  124° 
32'  W.,  58  fathoms,  rocky,  bottom  temperature  46.5°,  13  specimens; 
station  2873,  off  Washington,  lat.  48°  30'  N.;  long.  124°  57'  W.,  40 
fathoms,  rocks,  bottom  temperature  47.8°,  3  specimens;  station  2874, 
off  Washington,  lat.  48°  30'  N.;  long.  124°  57'  W.,  27  fathoms,  rocks, 
shells,   bottom  temperature   50.3°,   2   specimens;    station  2887,  off 
Oregon,  lat.  43°  58'  N.;  long.  124°  57'  W.,  42  fathoms,  clay  and 
pebbles,  bottom  temperature  47.1°,  2  specimens;  station  3047,  off 
Oregon,  lat.  46°  47'  N.;  long.  124°  30'  15"  W.,  50  fathoms,  fine  gray 
sand,  bottom  temperature  45.9°,  4  specimens;  station  3051,  off  Ore- 
gon, lat.  43°  59'  15"  N.;  long.  124°  58'  30"  W.,  59  fathoms,  coral, 
broken  shells,  rocky,  1  specimen;  station  3081,  off  Oregon,  lat.  43° 
59'  N.;  long.  124°  20'  W.,  61  fathoms,  green  mud,  sand,  bottom  tem- 
perature 45.8°,  1  specimen;  station  3106,  off  California,  lat.  37°  21' 
N. ;  long.  122°  51'  W.,  77  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  2  specimens;  station 
3174,  off  California,  lat.  38°  15' 30"  N.;  long.  123°  14'  15"  W.,  65 
fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  49.5°,  1  specimen;  station 
3213,  off  Alaska,  lat.  54°  10'  N.;  long.  162°  57'  30"  W.,  41  fathoms, 
black  sand,  3  specimens;  station  3214,  off  Alaska,  lat.  54°  13'  N.;  long. 
163°  6' W.,  38  fathoms,  gray  sand,  gravel,  1  specimen;  station  3240, 
Bering  Sea,  lat.  58°  30'  N.;  long.  159°  35'  30"  W.,  14J  fathoms,  fine 
black  sand,  9  specimens; station 3241,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  58°  38'  30"  N.; 
long.  159°  33'  30"W.,  14  fathoms,  black  mud,  bottom  temperature  38°, 

2  specimens;  station  3250,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  58°  11'  30"  N.;  long. 
163°  2'  45"  W.,  17J  fathoms,  gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  46.2°, 
4  specimens;  station  3251,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  57°  35'  50"  N.;  long.  164° 
5'  W.,  25.5  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  37.5°,  12 
specimens;  station  3252,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  57°  22'  20"  N.;  long.  164° 
24'  40"  W.,  29.5  fathoms,  black  mud,  bottom  temperature  44.8°, 
1  specimen;  station  3254,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  56°  50'  N.;  long.  164°  27' 
50"  W.,  46  fathoms,  green  mud,  sand,  bottom  temperature  36.2°, 

1  specimen;  station  3272,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  55°  31' 40"  N.;  long.  163° 
7'  W.,  31  fathoms,  black  and  red  sand,  bottom  temperature  42°, 

2  specimens;  station  3274,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  55°  34'  30"  N.;  long.  162° 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIUBANS    IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK.       289 

31'  45"  W.,  19  fathoms,  black  sand,  shells,  5  specimens;  station 
3276,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  55°  51'  15"  N.;  long.  162°  3'  W.,  18  fathoms, 
gravel,  sand,  rocks,  bottom  temperature  42°,  2  specimens;  station 
3278,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  56°  12'  30"  N.;  long.  162°  13' W.,  47  fathoms, 
fine  gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  38.8°,  1  specimen;  station  3280, 
Bering  Sea,  lat.  56°  27'  N.;  long.  162°  8'  W.,  36  fathoms,  fine-gray 
sand,  bottom  temperature  41°,  21  specimens;  station  3281,  Bering 
Sea,  lat.  56°  14'  N.;  long.  161°  41'  15"  W.,  36  fathoms,  gray  sand, 
black  specks,  7  specimens;  station  3282,  Bering  sea,  lat.  56°  30'  45" 
%  N.;  long.  161°  50'  15"  W.,  53  fathoms,  fine  sand,  green  mud,  bottom 
temperature  38.2°,  2  specimens;  station  3284,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  56° 
16'  50"  N.;  long.  160°  53'  W.,  25  fathoms,  fine  gravel,  bottom  tem- 
perature 43°,  2  specimens;  station  3285,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  56°  45'  45" 
N.;  long.  160°  42'  45"  W.,  35  fathoms,  gray  sand,  black  specks, 
bottom  temperature  41°,  3  specimens;  station  3286,  Bering  Sea,  lat. 
56°  39'  30"  N.;  long.  160°  29'  W.,  37  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  shells, 
gravel,  bottom  temperature  41.5°,  1  specimen;  station  3287,  Bering 
Sea,  lat.  56°  44'  30"  N.;  long.  159°  16'  W.,  16  fathoms,  black  sand, 
1  specimen;  station  3294,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  57°  16'  45"  N.;  long.  159° 
3'  30"  W.,  30  fathoms,  black  gravel,  bottom  temperature  41°,  1  speci- 
men; station  3297,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  57°  38'  N.;  long.  159°  7'  30"  W., 
26  fathoms,  gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  41.5°,  1  specimen 
station  3301,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  58°  12'  45"  N.;  long.  160°  37'  30"  W. 
17  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  1  specimen;  station  3304,  Bering  Sea, 
lat.  58°  2'  30"  N.;  long.  161°  13'  45"  W.,  28  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand, 
1  specimen;  station  3306,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  57°  24'  30"  N.;  long.  161° 
17'  W.,  33  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  38.9°, 
1  specimen;  station  3321,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  53°  33'  30"  N.;  long.  167° 
15'  40"  W.,  54  fathoms,  dark  mud,  bottom  temperature  41.5°, 
1  specimen;  station  3322,  Bering  Sea, lat.  53°  28'  45"  N.;  long.  167° 
23'  50"  W.,  35  fathoms,  black  sand,  bottom  temperature  42.4°, 
1  specimen;  station  3323,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  53°  26'  N.;  long.  167°  31' 
10"  W.,  51  fathoms,  fine  black  sand,  bottom  temperature  42°,  1  speci- 
men; station  3326,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  53°  40'  25"  N.;  long.  167°  41'  40" 
W.,  576  fathoms,  mud,  bottom  temperature  37.5°,  1  specimen;  station 
3331,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  1'  40"  N.;  long.  166°  48'  50"  W.,  350  fath- 
oms, mud,  2  specimens;  station  3443,  off  Washington,  lat.  48°  13' 
30"  N.;  long.  123°  11'  20"  W.,  97  fathoms,  green  mud,  pebbles, 
bottom  temperature  46°,  1  specimen;  station  3449,  off  Washington, 
lat.  48°  29'  40"  N.;  long.  124°  40'  10"  W.,  135  fathoms,  gray  sand, 
ivel,  4  specimens;  station  3452,  off  Washington,  lat.  48°  24'  40" 
".;  long.  124°  29'  10"  W.,  125  fathoms,  rocky,  black  gravel,  bottom 
temperature  44.5°,  1  specimen;  station  3454,  off  Washington,  lat. 
34916°— Bull.  75—11 19 


290  BULLETIN   75,   UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

48°  27'  50"  N.;  long.  124°  42'  40"  W.,  152  fathoms,  gray  sand, 
rocky,  bottom  temperature  44.2°,  3  specimens;  station  3465,  off 
Washington,  lat.  48°  21'  N.;  long.  123°  14'  W.,  48  fathoms,  rocky, 
bottom  temperature  49.9°,  4  specimens;  station  3480,  Bering  Sea, 
lat.  52°  6'  N.;  long.  171°  45'  W.,  283  fathoms,  black  sand,  coral, 
rocky,  2  specimens;  station  3483,  Bering  sea,  lat.  57°  18'  N.;  long. 
171°  18'  W.,  56  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  36.8°, 
2  specimens;  station  3484,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  57°  18'  N.;  long.  171° 
54'  W.,  60  fathoms,  blue  mud,  bottom  temperature  37.4°,  1  specimen; 
station  3504,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  56°  57'  N.;  long.  169°  27'  W.,  34  fath- 
oms, fine  gray  sand,  black  specks,  bottom  temperature  37.8°,  1  speci- 
men; station  3505,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  57°  9'  N.;  long.  168°  17'.,  W.,44 
fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  38.1°,  1  specimen; 
station  3507,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  57°  43'  N. ;  long.  164°  42'  W.,  31  fathoms, 
fine  gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  37.5°,  1  specimen;  station  3511, 
Bering  Sea,  lat.  57°  32'  N.;  long.  169°  38'  W.,  39  fathoms,  fine  sand, 
dark  mud,  bottom  temperature  37.2°,  2  specimens;  station  3512, 
Bering  Sea,  lat.  57°  49'  30"  N.;  long.  169°  27'  W.,  38  fathoms,  fine 
sand,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  36.6°,  1  specimen;  station 
3513,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  58°  27'  N.;  long.  169°  1'  W.,  35  fathoms,  fine 
sand,  green  mud,  1  specimen;  station  3514,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  59°  22' 
N.;  long.  168°  21'  W.,  21  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  bottom  tempera- 
ture 40.8°,  1  specimen;  station  3522,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  57°  58'  N.; 
long.  170°  9'  W.,  41  fathoms,  coarse  gray  sand,  gravel,  bottom  tem- 
perature 35.7°,  1  specimen;  station  3523,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  57°  39'  N.; 
long.  170°  2'  W.,  39  fathoms,  green  mud,  fine  sand,  bottom  tempera- 
ture 38°,  1  specimen;  station  3524,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  57°  24'  N.;  long. 
169°  56'  W.,  36  fathoms,  gray  sand,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature 
40.3°,  1  specimen;  station  3527,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  57° '48'  N.;  long. 
171°  21'  W.,  52  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom  temperature  38°,  1  speci- 
men; station  3528,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  58°  19'  30"  N.;  long.  172°  2'  W., 
55  fathoms,  dark  green  mud,  fine  sand,  bottom  temperature  35.9°, 
1  specimen;  station  3536,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  57°  5'  N.;  long.  170°  35' 
W.,  40  fathoms,  green  mud,  fine  sand,  bottom  temperature  42.4°, 
1  specimen;  station  3540,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  56°  27'  N. ;  long.  166°  8'  W., 
51  fathoms,  green  mud,  fine  sand,  bottom  temperature  36°,  1  speci- 
men; station  3541,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  56°  14'  N.;  long.  164°  8',  W.,49 
fathoms,  black  mud,  fine  sand,  bottom  temperature  36.1°,  1  specimen; 
station  3542,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  56°  10'  N.;  long.  163°  26'  W.,  49  fath- 
oms, dark  mud,  fine  sand,  bottom  temperature  39.2°,  1  specimen; 
station  3547,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  54°  16'  N. ;  long.  165°  45'  W.,  51  fathoms, 
fine  black  sand,  bottom  temperature  45°,  1  specimen;  station  3559, 
Bering  Sea,  lat.  56°  56'  N. ;  long.  169°  52'  W.,  39  fathoms,  gray  sand, 
broken  shells,  bottom  temperature  42.5°,  1  specimen;  station  3676 
(no  records  of  this  are  preserved),  3  specimens;  station  3707,  off  Ose 


NOKTH   PACIFIC    OPHIURANS   IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK.       291 

Zaki,  Honshu  Island,  Japan,  63  to  75  fathoms,  volcanic  sand,  ashes, 
gravel,  6  specimens;  station  4777,  Bering  Sea,  lat.  52°  11'  N.;  long. 
179°  49'  E.,  43  to  52  fathoms,  fine  gravel,  3  specimens;  station  4779, 
Bering  Sea,  lat.  52°  11'  N.;  long.  179°  57'  E.,  54  to  56  fathoms, 
broken  shells,  pebbles,  sand,  4  specimens;  station  4782,  Bering  Sea, 
lat.  52°  55'  N.;  long.  173°  27'  E.,  57  to  59  fathoms,  rock,  gravel, 
3  specimens;  station  4784,  off  Attu  Island,  lat.  52°  55'  40"  N.;  long. 
173°  26'  E.,  135  fathoms,  coarse  pebbles,  3  specimens;  station  4787, 
off  Copper  Island,  lat.  54°  50'  50"  N.;  long.  167°  13'  30"  E.,  54  to  57 
fathoms,  green  sand,  1  specimen;  station  4788,  off  Copper  Island, 
lat.  54°  50'  24"  N.;  long.  167°  13'  E.,  56  to  57  fathoms,  green  sand, 
1  specimen;  station  4812,  Sea  of  Japan,  lat.  38°  33'  N.;  long.  138° 
40'  E.,  176  to  200  fathoms,  fine  brown  mud,  bottom  temperature 
34.9°,  1  specimen;  station  4874,  Korea  Strait,  lat.  34°  38'  N.;  long. 
130°  3'  E.,  66  fathoms,  green  sand,  broken  shells,  bottom  tempera- 
ture 59.7°,  1  specimen;  station  4892,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  32°  27'  30"  N. ; 
long.  128°  33'  E.,  181  fathoms,  gray  sand,  broken  shells,  rocks,  bottom 
temperature  50.2°,  1  specimen;  station  4912,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  31° 
39'  40"  N.;  long.  129°  20'  E.,  391  fathoms,  gray  globigerina  ooze, 
bottom  temperature  41.9°,  1  specimen;  station  4935,  Eastern  Sea, 
lat.  30°  57'  20"  N.;  long.  130°  35'  10"  E.,  103  fathoms,  stones,  bot- 
tom temperature  60.6°,  1  specimen,  station  4983,  Sea  of  Japan,  lat. 
43°  1'  35"  N. ;  long.  140°  10'  40"  E.,  428  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom 
temperature  32.7°,  3  specimens;  station  4985,  Sea  of  Japan,  lat.  43° 
5'  20"  N.;  long.  140°  15'  15"  E.,  224  fathoms,  green  mud,  bottom 
temperature  33.1°,  3  specimens;  station  4986,  Sea  of  Japan,  lat.  43° 
1'  40"  N".;  long.  140°  22,  40"  E.,  172  fathoms,  fine  black  sand,  black 
mud,  bottom  temperature  33.9°,  2  specimens;  station  4987,  Sea  of 
Japan,  lat.  43°*19'  20"  N.;  long.  140°  17'  E.,  59  fathoms,  rocky, 
bottom  temperature  44.8°,  1  specimen;  station  5005,  off  Saghalin, 
lat.  46°  4'  40"  N. ;  long.  142°  27'  30"  E.,  42  to  43  fathoms,  green  mud, 
fine  gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  30.7°  ?,  2  specimens;  station  5006, 
off  Saghalin,  lat.  46°  4'  N.;  long.  142°  29'  E.,  42  to  43  fathoms,  green 
mud,  fine  gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  36.1°,  1  specimen;  station 

5007,  off  Saghalin,  lat.  46°  3'  N.;  long.  142°  31'  E.,  42  fathoms,  green 
mud,  fine  gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  34.8°,  2  specimens;  station 

5008,  off  Saghalin,  lat.  46°  7'  50"  N.;  long.  142°  37'  20"  E.,  40  fath- 
oms, green  mud,  fine  gray  sand,  bottom  temperature  33.9°,  1  speci- 
men; station  5020,  Okhotsk  Sea,  lat.  48°  32'  45"  N.;  long.  145°  7' 
30"  E.,  73  fathoms,  green  mud,  sand,  pebbles,  bottom  temperature 
30.9°,  1  specimen;  station  5021,  Okhotsk  Sea,  lat.  48°  32'  30"  N.; 
long.  145°  8'  45"  E.,  73  fathoms,  green  mud,  sand,  pebbles,  bottom 
temperature  30.9°,  3  specimens.     Wrangel,  Alaska,  1  specimen;  Un- 
alaska,  30  fathoms,  1  specimen;  Ikatan  Bay,  Alaska,  1  specimen; 


292  BULLETIN   75,   UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

Killisnoo,  Alaska,  1  specimen;  Straits  of  Fuca,  1  specimen;  Alaska,  7 
specimens;  Const antine  Harbor,  8  to  10  fathoms,  1  specimen;  lat. 
66°  12'  N.;  long.  168°  54'  W.,  1  fragment;  Mechigme  Bay,  Siberia, 
5  specimens;  Arctic  Ocean,  3  specimens;  locality  ?,  8  specimens. 
Bathymetrical  range,  8  to  576  fathoms.  Temperature  range,  60.6° 
to  30.7°.  Three  hundred  and  four  specimens. 

This  unusually  fine  series  of  "basket-fish,"  ranging  in  disk  diameter 
from  9  to  115  mm.  (this  being,  I  believe,  the  largest  ophiuran  on 
record),  has  enabled  me  to  determine  the  status  of  some  of  the  many 
species  of  Gorgonocephalus .  There  is,  I  think,  no  room  for  doubt 
that  G.  stimpsonii  and  G.  japonicus  are  both  synonyms  of  G.  caryi, 
the  last  name  having  priority.  There  is  much  individual  diversity  in 
the  abundance  and  coarseness  of  the  granules  on  the  disk,  as  well  as  in 
the  number  and  length  of  the  arm  divisions.  Thus  a  specimen  from 
off  California  has  few  long  arm  divisions  and  small  granules  confined 
to  the  radial  shields,  while  the  Saghalin  and  many  Alaskan  speci- 
mens have  many  short  arm  divisions  and  coarse,  irregular  granules 
all  over  the  disk.  Specimens  similar  to  the  one  from  California  are 
in  the  collection,  however,  from  Alaska  and  also  from  Japan,  and 
intergradations  between  the  extremes  are  common.  The  specimen 
from  station  4935  (disk  diameter  21  mm.)  is  notable  for  long,  narrow 
genital  slits  and  the  presence  of  only  2  arm  spines  on  most  of  the 
joints,  and  those  two  unusually  long,  though  they  do  not  equal  the 
joint.  There, is  more  than  a  possibility  that  caryi  is  not  specifically 
distinct  from  eucnemis,  but  I  have  not  had  sufficient  material  of  the 
latter  species  to  enable  me  to  settle  the  point.  My  suspicions  go  even 
further  and  lead  me  to  think  that  agassizii,  eucnemis,  and  caryi 
may  prove  to  be  three  names  for  a  single  species.  Material  from  the 
west  coast  of  Greenland  and  the  regions  north  of  America  would  be 
very  desirable  in  settling  the  question.  The  geographical  range  of 
caryi  from  California  northward  and  northwestward  to  nearly  60° 
N.  in  Bering  Sea,  and  thence  southward  and  southwestward  to  below 
31°  N.  in  the  Eastern  Sea  is  remarkably  extensive. 

GORGONOCEPHALUS  SAGAMINUS. 

Gorgonocephalus  sagaminus  DODERLEIN,  Zool.  Anz.,  vol.  25,  1902,  p.  321. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  3707,  off  Ose  Zaki,  Honshu  Island, 
Japan,  63  to  75  fathoms,  volcanic  sand,  ashes,  gravel,  11  specimens; 
station  3715,  off  Ose  Zaki,  Honshu  Island,  Japan,  65  to  68  fathoms, 
volcanic  sand,  shells,  rocks,  1  specimen;  station  3720,  off  Ose  Zaki, 
Honshu  Island,  Japan,  63  fathoms,  volcanic  sand,  shells,  1  specimen; 
station  3740,  off  Ose  Zaki,  Honshu  Island,  Japan,  65  fathoms,  volcanic 
sand,  shells,  pebbles,  3  specimens;  station  4894,  Eastern  Sea,  lat. 
32°  33'  N.;  long.  128°  32'  W"  E.,  95  fathoms,  green  sand,  broken 
shells,  pebbles,  1  specimen;  station  4986,  Sea  of  Japan,  lat.  43°  1'  40" 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL   MUSEUM CLARK.       293 

N.;  long.  140°  22'  40"  E.,  172  fathoms,  fine  black  sand,  black  mud, 
bottom  temperature  33.9°,  1  specimen;  station  4987,  Sea  of  Japan, 
lat.  43°  19'  20"  N.;  long.  140°  17'  E.,  59  fathoms,  rocky,  bottom 
temperature  44.8°,  1  specimen.  Bathymetrical  range,  59  to  172 
fathoms.  Temperature  range,  44.8°  to  33.9°.  Nineteen  specimens. 
This  is  a  beautiful  and  well-characterized  species,  easily  recognized 
by  the  very  fine  granulation  and  minute  arm  spines.  The  specimens 
before  me  range  in  disk  diameter  from  9  to  50  mm.  and  vary  in  color 
from  very  pale  gray  to  yellowish-gray  and  fawn-color. 

ASTROPHYTON  CORNUTUM. 

Gorgonocephalus  cornutus  KCEHLER,  Ann.  Sci.  Nat.,  Zool.  (8),  vol.  4, 1898,  p.  368. 
Astrophyton  coniferum  DODERLEIN,  Zool.  Anz.,  vol.  25,  1902,  p.  325. 
Astrophyton  cornutum  KCEHLER,  Siboga  Oph.  Litt.,  1905,  p.  127. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  4929,  Colnett  Strait,  lat.  30°  12'  30" 
N. ;  long.  130°  43'  E.,  84  fathoms,  broken  shells,  coral,  pebbles,  bottom 
temperature  74.8°,  2  specimens;  4931,  Colnett  Strait,  lat.  30°  12'  N.; 
long.  130°  43'  40"  E.,  83  fathoms,  broken  shells,  pebbles,  coral,  bot- 
tom temperature  75.4°,  8  specimens. 

These  specimens  vary  in  color  from  nearly  white  to  light  reddish- 
brown.  Although  they  are  small  (disk  diameter,  9  to  13  mm.),  there 
seems  to  be  no  question  as  to  their  identity  with  Doderlein's  species, 
coniferum.  As  I  can  not  find  any  tangible  character  by  which  they 
can  be  distinguished  from  cornutum  of  Kcehler  I  am  obliged  to  con- 
sider the  names  as  synonyms. 

ASTROPHYTON  PARDALIS. 

Astrophyton  pardalis  DODERLEIN,  Zool.  Anz.,  vol.  25,  1902,  p.  323. 
Astrophyton  globiferum  DODERLEIN,  Zool.  Anz.,  vol.  25,  1902,  p.  324. 

Localities. — Albatross  station  3729,  off  Omai  Zaki,  Honshu  Island, 
Japan,  34  fathoms,  mud,  gravel,  2  specimens;  station  3735,  off  Omai 
Zaki,  Honshu  Island,  Japan,  36  fathoms,  coarse  gray  volcanic  sand, 
broken  shells,  2  specimens;  station  4781,  near  Agattu  Island,  lat. 
52°  14'  30"  N. ;  long.  174°  13'  E.,  482  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  pebbles, 
bottom  temperature,  38.6°,  1  specimen;  station  4875,  Korea  Strait, 
lat.  34°  19'  N.;  long  130°  9'  E.,  59  fathoms,  fine  gray  sand,  broken 
shells,  bottom  temperature  62.1°,  1  specimen;  station  4877,  Korea 
Strait,  lat.  34°  20'  30"  N.;  long.  130°  11'  E.,  59  fathoms,  fine  gray 
sand,  broken  shells,  bottom  temperature  62.1°,  1  specimen;  station 
4934,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  30°  58'  30"  N.;  long.  130°  32'  E.,  103  to  152 
fathoms,  rocky,  bottom  temperature  60.6°  to  56°,  1  specimen;  station 
5070,  Suruga  Gulf,  lat.  35°  3'  25"  N. ;  long.  138°  47'  40"  E.,  108 
fathoms,  mud,  sand,  broken  shells,  bottom  temperature  57.6°,  1 
specimen;  Fusan,  Korea,  1  specimen.  Bathymetrical  range,  34  to 
482  fathoms.  Temperature  range,  62.1°  to  38.6°.  Ten  specimens. 


294  BULLETIN    75,    UNITED   STATES   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

Although  these  specimens  vary  in  color  from  uniform  very  dark 
brown,  through  yellow  spotted  with  blackish,  to  uniform  light  gray 
with  the  larger  tubercles  white,  and  in  size  from  a  disk  diameter  of 
6  mm.  to  one  of  65,  I  am  utterly  unable  to  differentiate  them  into 
more  than  a  single  species.  The  specimen  from  station  4781  is  only 
6  mm.  across  the  disk  and  is  very  dark  purplish-brown;  it  is  very 
possibly  not  this  species,  but  I  know  of  no  other  to  which  it  can  be 
referred.  The  specimen  from  station  3735,  11  mm.  across  the  disk, 
is  undoubtedly  pardalis  as  it  answers  to  Doderlein's  description  in 
every  particular;  the  name  is  peculiarly  appropriate  to  such  a  speci- 
men. The  specimen  from  station  4934  is  similar  but  is  much  larger 
(40  mm.  disk  diameter)  and  the  colors  are  dimmer,  so  that  the  spotting 
is  much  less  noticeable.  Moreover  many,  if  not  most,  of  the  granules 
have  lost  their  acicular  points  and  scattered  all  over  the  upper  sur- 
face of  the  arms  are  rounded,  whitish  tubercles;  a  few  are  present 
also  on  the  disk.  The  specimen  from  station  4875  (disk  diameter, 
21  mm.)  differs  only  in  that  the  ground  color  is  gray,  not  at  all 
yellowish,  with  the  spots  dull  purplish,  and  the  granules  are  nearly 
all  rounded,  very  rarely  with  a  point.  The  specimen  from  station 
4877  (disk  diameter,  53  mm.)  is  like  the  last  mentioned,  but  there 
are  no  spots  or  markings  of  any  kind;  the  color  is  yellowish-gray, 
with  tubercles  and  large  granules  whitish.  The  specimen  from  Fusan 
(65  mm.)  is  similar  but  the  color  is  very  pale  brown.  Finally,-  the 
specimen  from  station  5070  (53  mm.)  is  like  the  one  from  station  4877, 
but  is  a  little  lighter  gray  and  the  granules  are  even  more  flat  and 
pavement-like;  the  white  tubercles  are  still  evident,  however,  par- 
ticularly well  out  on  the  arms.  The  situation,  therefore,  is  this :  The 
specimen  from  station  3735  is  pardalis;  the  specimen  from  station 
4934  is  undoubtedly  the  adult  of  the  same;  but  the  specimen  from 
station  4877  can  not  be  separated  specifically  from  it;  yet  the  speci- 
men from  station  5070,  which  appears  to  be  A.  globiferum,  is  un- 
doubtedly conspecific  with  the  one  from  station  4877.  Therefore 
globiferum  appears  to  be  a  synonym  of  pardalis. 

EURYALE  ANOPLA,  new  species.a 

Disk  34  mm.  in  diameter;  arms  about  170  mm.  long,  each  with 
eight  or  nine  forks.  Disk  covered  with  a  smooth  skin.  Radial  shields 
conspicuous,  moderately  broad  and  arched,  meeting  at  center  of  disk 
or  nearly  so ;  each  shield  carries  two  to  five  low,  blunt,  inconspicuous 
tubercles.  Upper  surface  of  arms,  which  are  rather  higher  than 
broad,  covered  with  smooth,  naked  skin.  Interbrachial  spaces  below 
heavily  granulated,  except  distally.  Genital  slits  conspicuous.  Sur- 

a" Avon hoc,  signifying  not  heavy-armed,  in  reference  to  the  absence  of  large  conical 
tubercles  and  spines  on  the  disk. 


NORTH    PACIFIC    OPHIURANS    IN    NATIONAL    MUSEUM CLARK.        295 

face  of  oral  frame  and  lower  surface  of  arms  covered  with  a  smooth, 
naked  skin.  Apex  and  sides  of  jaws  more  or  less  finely  but  irregularly 
tuberculous.  Teeth  broad,  truncate  or  bluntly  pointed,  about  five 
or  six  in  each  series.  First  pair  of  tentacles  nearer  mouth  than  they 
are  to  margin  of  oral  frame,  without  scales  or  spinules  of  any  kind; 
succeeding  pairs  protected  by  two  subequal,  finely  thorny,  very  blunt, 
club-shaped  spines,  not  quite  as  long  as  a  joint  and  half  as  thick  as 
long;  on  outer  branches  of  arm,  these  spines  become  slender,  and  hook- 


FlG.  144.— EUEYALE  ANOPLA.      X   1.5.      a,  FROM  ABOVE;    6,  FROM  BELOW;    C,  SIDE    VIEW  OF    THREE    ARM 

JOINTS  NEAR  DISK. 

bearing  at  tip.    Color  (dried  from  alcohol),  dark  brown,  lighter  at  tips 

of  arms;  oral  frame  and  under  side  of  arms  dull  yellow. 

Locality.— Albatross  station  4934,  Eastern  Sea,  lat.  30°  58'  30"  N".; 

long.  130°  32'  E.,  103  to  152  fathoms,  bottom  temperature  60.6°  to 

56°,  1  specimen. 

Type.—Csit.  No.  25590,  U.S.N.M.,  from  station  4934.' 

This  species  is  so  well  characterized  by  the  nearly  naked  disk  and 

the  perfectly  smooth  arms  that  it  can  not  be  mistaken  for  either  of 

the  other  species  of  the  genus. 


INDEX. 


[The  important  reference  to  each  genus  and  species  is  in  heavy-faced  type.] 


Page. 

acanthinobrachia,  Ophiobyrsa 269,  270 

acanthinotata,  Ophiacantha 203 

acanthinus,  Amphioplus 168 

Ophiophrixus 273 

acontophora,  Ophiomitra 15, 190 

acrystata,  Amphiura 10, 145, 147 

aculeata,  Asterias 128 

Ophiopholis 4, 

9, 12, 15, 19, 115, 116, 128,  131, 133, 196 

aculeatus,  Ophiambix 13, 114 

adiaphora,  Ophiacantha 8, 18, 199,  200, 202 

adspersus,  Ophiernus 10, 12, 15,95,  96 

agassizii,  Gorgonocephalus 292 

alba,  Ophiozona 36 

albata,  Ophioglypha 68 

Amphilepis 15 

papyracea 172 

platytata 13,16,171 

Amphilimna 169, 170, 173 

pentacantha 10, 172 

Amphiodia 20,158,162,166 

ancistrota 20,161,  162 

craterodmeta 8, 155, 156 

digitula 20, 162,  169 

euryaspis 9, 17, 20, 158,  159 

macraspis 10, 20, 157,  165 

occidental 11, 155 

periercta 11,160,  161 

psilochora 165 

strongyloplax 10, 164 

'urtica 11,154 

Amphioplus 158, 162, 169, 170, 171, 173 

acanthinus 168 

hexacanthus 10, 170 

megapomus 170 

rhadinobrachius 167, 168 

Amphipholis 184 

pugetana 11,166 

Amphiura 20, 147, 152, 166 

acrystata 10, 145, 147 

bellis 20,140 

carchara 9, 15, 17, 142 

diomedese 10, 15, 17, 18, 20, 140 

ecnomiotata 148 

euopla 144 

gymnopora 154 

leptodoma 143 

micraspis 150 

occidentalis 155, 161 

psilopora 153, 154 

pugetana 166 

pycnostoma 151 

sundevalli 12, 141 

trachydisca 149 

urtica 154,  156 


Page. 

Amphiuridse 114 

anchilabra,  Ophiacantha 14,204,  206 

anchista,  Pectinura 23,  25 

ancistrota,  Amphiodia 20, 161 , 162 

anisacantha,  Ophiomyxa 5,20,271,272 

annectens,  Ophiernus 95, 96 

annulata,  Ophionereis 174 

anopla,  Euryale 18,294 

antarctica,  Ophioconis 28, 30 

Anthophiura 15, 92 

axiologa 13,16,92,93 

antipodum,  Ophiopteris 257 

armigerum,  Ophiomusium 112 

asaphes,  Ophiolebes 8,239 

Asterias  aculeata 128 

bidentata 195 

Asteronyx 255 

dispar 287 

excavata 287 

loveni 5, 9, 12, 16, 285,  287 

plana 287 

Asteroporpa 280 

australianus 281 

hadracantha 18,280 

As  troceras 284, 285 

pergamena 5, 18, 284 

Astrochele 18, 281 

laevis 281,  283 

lymani 283 

Astronyx 285 

Astroporpa 280 

Astrophytidae 280 

Astrophyton  caryi 287 

coniferum. 293 

cornutum 293 

globiferum 293, 294 

pardalis 18, 293,  294 

stimpsonii 287 

atacta,  Ophiura 14,85 

atopostoma,  Ophiacantha 18, 228 

australianus,  Asteroporpa 281 

australis,  Ophiomyxa 18, 20, 271 ,  272 

axiologa,  Anthophiura 13, 16, 92, 93 

bairdi,  Ophiacantha 9, 12, 18, 230, 232 

bakeri,  Ophiopholis 10, 115, 116, 121 , 123, 128 

bartletti,  Ophiacantha 239 

bathybia,  Ophiacantha 8, 14, 15, 233 

Ophiura 13,16,58,60 

bellis,  Amphiura 20,140 

bidentata,  Asterias 195 

Ophiacantha 8, 12, 195, 214 

bispinosa,  Ophiozona 33,34 

brachyactis,  Ophiopholis 18, 115, 116, 117 

Ophiura 8, 16, 87 

297 


298 


INDEX. 


Page. 

brachyaspis,  Ophiactis 138, 140 

brachygenys,  Ophiactis 135 

brachygnatha,  Ophiolebes 8, 16, 240 

brevipes,  Ophiocoma 256 

brevispina,  Ophiolebes 20,247 

brevispinum,  Ophiocten 98,99 

bullata,  Ophiura 75 

bythiaspis,  Ophiomitra 14, 185, 192, 193 

calyptolepis,  Ophiura 67 , 68, 69, 70 

cancellatum,  Ophiomusium 15, 20, 106, 112 

carchara,  Amphiura 9, 15, 17, 142 

cardiomorpha,  Ophiomitra 179 

caryi,  Astrophyton 287 

Gorgonocephalus  ...  5, 9, 17, 18, 20, 21, 287 , 292 

Ophiopholis 115, 132, 133 

cataleimmoida,  Ophiacantha 8, 20, 217 , 224, 228 

charischema,  Ophiocten 5, 18, 97 , 99 

ciliaris,  Ophiothrix 257 

Ophiura 257 

clasta,  Ophiura 14, 64 

Clemens,  Ophioglypha.  .*. 68 

codonomorpha,  Ophiomitra 14, 188 

confragosa,  Ophioglypha 65 

coniferum,  Astrophyton 293 

convexa,  Ophiura 75 

cornutum,  Astrophyton 293 

cornutus,  Gorgonocephalus 293 

corynetes,  Ophiocynodus 10, 274 

craterodmeta,  Amphiodia 8, 155, 156 

cryptolepis,  Ophiura 9, 69, 70 

cylindrica,  Pectinura 25 

depression,  Ophiocten 98 

diaphora,  Ophiolebes 20, 245 , 246, 247 

diastata,  Ophioconis 27,28 

dictydisca,  Ophiocrasis 175, 177 

digitula,  Amphiodia 20,162,169 

diomedeae,  Amphiura 10, 15, 17, 18, 20, 140 

diplasia,  Ophiacantha 10,209 

diploa,  Ophiacantha 207,208 

disacantha,  Ophiopenia 8,102 

disacanthus,  Ophiosyzygus 18,276 

discycla,  Ophiomitra 181,  183, 181 

dispar,  Asteronyx 287 

divisa,  Ophioglypha 65 

duplex,  Ophiacantha 207,208 

dyscrita,  Ophiactis 18,137 

eburneum,  Ophiomusium 112 

echinata,  Ophiocoma 22 

ecnomiotata,  Amphiura 148 

elevata,  Ophiozona 5, 31 , 33, 34 

enneactis,  Ophiacantha 211 

erinacea,  Ophiocoma 257 

erinaceus,  Ophiocoma 257 

esmarki,  Ophioplocus 31 

eucnemis,  Gorgonocephalus 292 

euopla,  Amphiura 144 

euphylactea,  Ophiacantha 225 

Euryale  anopla 18, 294 

palmiferum 287 

euryaspis,  Amphiodia 9, 17, 20, 158, 159 

eurybrachiplax,  Ophionereis 10, 178 

eurypoma,  Ophiacantha 13, 16, 223 

eusteira,  Ophiothrix 265 

excavata,  Asteronyx 287 


Page. 

fastigatus,  Ophiochiton 133 

flagellata,  Ophioglypha 60 

Ophiura 8,9, 10, 16, 18, 19,60 

glabrum,  Ophiomusium 114 

globiferum,  Astrophyton 293, 294 

glyptodisca,  Ophiura 91,92 

gorgonia,  Ophiarachna 25 

Ophiarachnella 25 

Gorgonocephalus t 292 

agassizii 292 

caryi 5,9, 17, 18, 20, 21, 287 , 292 

cornutus 293 

eucnemis 292 

j  aponicus 287, 292 

sagaminus 20,21,292 

stimpsonii 292 

grandis,  Ophioglypha 62,63 

granulosa,  Ophiacantha 18,215 

gratiosa,  Ophiacantha 209 

grisea,  Ophioplinthus 21 

gymnochora,  Ophiactis , 139 

gymnopora,  Amphiura , ...      154 

gymnodiscus,  Ophiohymen 277 

habrotata,  Ophiomitra 5, 182 

hadra,  Ophiura 11,14,80 

hadracantha,  Asteroporpa 18, 280 

Hemieuryale 21 

pustulata 21 

tuberculosa 21 

Hemipholis 137 

hexacanthus,  Amphioplus 10, 170 

hexactis,  Ophiologimus 252 

hylacantha,  Ophiacantha 14, 227 

hylodes,  Ophiothrix 263,  265 

imbecillis,  Ophioglypha 62 

Ophiura 62 

imbricata,  Ophiolepis 30 

imbricatus,  Ophioplocus 30, 31 

infernalis,  Ophiarachnella 27 

inutilis,  Ophiacantha 208,  209 

involuta,  Ophioglypha 62, 63 

irrorata,  Ophioglypha 62 

Ophiura 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 62 , 63 

japonica,  Ophiopholis 123, 127 

Ophiopholis  aculeata  var 15, 

17,115,116,121,123,128 

j  aponicus,  Gorgonocephalus 287, 292 

Ophioplocus 30,  31 

jejuna,  Ophiogypha 67 

jolliensis,  Ophiomusium 9, 20,  111 

kennerlyi,  Ophiopholis 115, 132  133 

Ophiopholis  aculeata  var 11, 

115,116,128,132 

kinbergi,  Ophioglypha 37 

Ophiura 37,  44,45,46,47,48,55 

koreana,  Ophiothrix. . .  5,12,17, 18, 257 ,  260, 264, 265 

laevis,  Astrochele 281,283 

lambda,  Ophiacantha 231 

laqueatum,  Ophiomusium 18, 106 

lepidota,  Ophiacantha 14, 224 

leptoctenia,  Ophiura. .  4, 9, 15, 18, 19, 51 ,  55, 58, 59, 60 

leptodoma,  Amphiura 143 

leucorhabdota,  Ophiacantha 18,221 


INDEX. 


299 


Page. 

leucosticta,  Ophiacantha 14,235 

levispina,  Ophiacantha 20, 198 

liodisca,  Ophiophr ura 249 

lithosora,  Ophiocamax 187, 191 , 192 

ljungmani,  Ophioglypha 

Ophiura 55,60 

longipeda,  Ophiothrix 263 

Ophiura 263 

longispina,  Ophiopholis 10, 

115,116,119,  121,122,123,128 

Ophiozona 33,  36 

longispinus,  Ophiotrochus 14,94 

lophobrachia,  Ophiacantha 18, 232 

loveni,  Asteronyx 5,9,12,16,285,  287 

lunare,  Ophiomusium 18, 20, 107 

liitkeni,  Ophioglypha 45 

Ophiomusium 18, 20, 107 

Ophiura 5, 11 , 19, 44, 45,  46, 47, 55 

lymani.  Astrochele 283 

Ophiomusium 9, 12, 15, 17, 18, 20, 63, 107 


macrarthra,  Ophiacantha 14, 

macraspis,  Amphiodia 10, 20, 157 , 165 

macrobrachia,  Ophiothrix 5, 18, 267 

maculata,  Ophioglypha 49 

Ophiura 8, 18,49, 156 

malignus,  Ophiodoris 179 

marmorata,  Pectinura 25 

medusa,  Ophioplinthus 

megalaspis,  Ophiarachnella 5, 25,  27 

megapoma,  Ophiura 79 

megapomus,  Amphioplus 170 

megapora,  Ophioleptoplax 279 

megatreta,  Ophiacantha 14, 237 ,  239 

micracantha,  Ophiura 18, 19, 47 

micraspis,  Amphiura 150 

microphylax,  Ophiomitra 18, 184 

miliaria,  Ophioconis 28, 30 

mirabilis,  Ophiolepis 117 

Ophiopholis 8, 19, 115, 116, 117*,  119 

mixta,  Ophiomastix 256 

monacantha,  Ophioschiza 255 

monostcecha,  Ophiura 65,  67, 86 

multispinum,  Ophiomusium 10, 14, 113,  114 

murrhina,  Sigsbeia 21 

nodosa,  Ophiura 4, 12, 70,  131, 196 

normani,  Ophiacantha 4, 

5, 9, 15, 17, 18, 20, 215,  219, 221, 224 
nuda,  Ophionereis 174 

obstricta,  Ophioceramis 250 

obstrictus,  Ophiurases , 5, 18, 250 

occidentalis,  Amphiodia 11, 155 

Amphiura 155, 161 

cedidisca,  Ophiacantha 219,  224 

cediplax,  Ophiura 12, 16, 74,  75 

oedipus,  Ophiocreas 283 

omoplata,  Ophiacantha 4  16,  202 

ooplax,  Ophiocten 99 

Ophiacantha...  2,3,15,18,19,20,21,28,185,195,213, 
217, 221 , 222, 225, 228, 231, 236, 249, 250 

acanthinotata 203 

adiaphora 8,18,199,  200,202 

anchilabra 14,204,  206 

atopostoma 18,228 


Page. 

Ophiacantha  bairdi 9,12,18,230,232 

bartletti 239 

bathybia 8, 14, 15,233 

bidentata 8, 12, 195,  214 

cataleimmoida 8, 20,217 ,  224, 228 

diplasia 10,209 

diploa 207,208 

duplex .......  207 , 208 

enneactis 211 

euphylact  ea 225 

eurypoma 13,16, 223 

granulosa 18,215 

gratiosa 209 

hylacantha 14,227 

inutilis 208,  209 

lambda 231 

lepidota 14,224 

leucorhabdota 18,221 

leucosticta 14,235 

levispina 20, 198 

lophobrachia 18,232 

macrarthra 14,18,236 

megatreta 14,237,  239 

normani 4, 

5,9,15,17,18,20,215,219,221,224 

cedidisca 219,224 

omoplata 16,202 

pentagona 5, 

16,17,18,20,196, 198,200,201,205 

prionota 13, 213 

relicta 20,219,221 

rhachophora 5, 8, 9, 18, 20,201 

stimulea 229 

trachybactra 206 

vivipara 213 

vorax 206 

Ophiacanthidae 179, 191, 195 

Ophiactis 3, 138, 139, 140 

brachyaspis 138, 140 

brachygenys 135 

dyscrita 18,137 

gymnochora 139 

pteropoma 134 

Ophialcaea 217 

Ophiambix 15, 114 

aculeatus 13, 114 

Ophiarachna  gorgonia 25 

Ophiarachnella  gorgonia 25 

infernalis 27 

megalaspis 5,25,  27 

Ophiernus  adspersus 10,12,15,95,  96 

annectens 95, 96 

Ophiobyrsa 271, 274 

acanthinobrachia 269 ,  270 

synaptacantha 18,270,  271 

Ophiocamax 195 

lithosora 187,191, 192 

polyploca 5, 18, 193 

rugosa 195 

Ophioceramis  obstricta 250 

Ophiochiton  fastigatus 133 

Ophiocnida 173 

Ophiocoma 16, 22, 257 

brev  ipes 256 

echinata 22 

erinacea 257 


300 


INDEX. 


Page 

Ophiocoma  erinaceus 257 

papillosa 257 

riisei 22 

Ophiocomidae 6,256 

Ophioconis 2,28,230,232 

antarctica 28, 30 

diastata 27,  28 

miliaria 28, 30 

papillata 28,30 

Ophiocrasis 175 

dictydisca 175, 177 

Ophiocreas  cedipus 283 

Ophiocten  brevispinum 98,  99 

charischema 5, 18,97 ,  99 

depressum 98 

ooplax 99 

paciflcum 9, 14, 96 

Ophiocynodus 274,276 

corynetes 10, 274 

Ophiodermatidae 6, 23 

Ophiodoris  malignus 179 

pericalles 5, 18, 177 

Ophioglypha 36 

albata 68 

clemens 67 

confragosa 65 

divisa 65 

flagellata 60 

grandis 62, 63 

imbecillis 62 

involuta 62, 63 

irrorata 62 

jejuna 67 

kinbergi 37 

ljungmani 55 

liitkeni 45 

maculata 49 

orbiculata 62, 63 

ponderosa 77 

robusta 51 

sculpta 73 

sculptilis 77 

sinensis 37 

solida 91 

sterea 75 

tumulosa 62, 63 

undata 91 

variabilis 77 

Ophiogymna 268 

Ophiogyptis 250 

Ophiohelidse 179, 191, 195 

Ophiohymen 277 

gymnodiscus 277 

Ophiolebes 18, 20, 195, 207, 221, 240, 248 

asaphes 8,  239 

brachygnatha 8, 16,  240 

brevispina 20,  247 

diaphora 20, 245, 246, 247 

pachybactra 242,244 

paucispina 20, 246, 247, 248 

scorteus 240 

tylota 8, 20,243,244, 246 

vestitus 242 

Ophiolepididse 3, 30, 195 

Ophiolepis  imbricata 30 

mirabills 117 

sundevalli 141 


Page. 

Ophioleptoplax 278 

megapora 279 

Ophiologimus 252 

hexactis 252 

Ophiomastix  mixta 256 

Ophiomastus 92 

Ophiomitra 2, 15, 19, 185, 188, 191, 195, 217 

acontophora 15, 190 

bythiaspis 14, 185, 192, 193 

cardiomorpha 179 

codonomorpha 14, 188 

discycla 181 , 183, 184 

habrotata 5, 182 

microphylax 18, 184 

polyacantha 18, 187 

Ophiomusium 18, 19, 20, 92 

armigerum 112 

cancellation 15, 20, 106, 112 

eburneum 112 

glabrum 114 

jolliensis 9, 20,  111 

laqueatum 18, 106 

lunare • 18, 20, 107 

liitkeni 18,20,107 

lymani 9, 12, 15, 17, 18, 20, 63, 107 

multispinum 10, 14, 113 ,  114 

sanctum 109 

simplex 5, 18, 20, 109,  111 

trychnum 20, 109 ,  111 

Ophiomyxa 18, 273, 274, 277 

anisacantha 5, 20, 271 ,  272 

australis 18,20,271,272 

Ophiomyxidae 6, 269 

Ophionephthys 147 

Ophionereis 175 

annulata 174 

eurybrachiplax 10, 178 

nuda 174 

porrecta 174, 177 

schayeri 174 

Ophiopenia 19, 102 

disacantha 8, 102 

tetracantha 104, 105 

Ophiopholis 18, 19, 114, 115, 116 

aculeata 4,9, 12, 15, 

19,115,116,128,131,133,196 

var.  japonica 15, 

17,115,116,121,123,128 

var.  kennerlyi 11, 

115,116,128,132,133 

var.  typica 116 

bakeri 10,115,116,121,123,128 

brachyactis 18, 115, 116, 117 

caryi 115, 132, 133 

japonica 123, 127 

kennerlyi 115, 132, 133 

longispina 10, 

115, 116, 119, 121, 122, 123, 128 

mirabilis 8, 19, 115, 116, 117, 119 

Ophiophrixus 272 

acanthinus 273 

Ophiophrura 249 

liodisca 249 

Ophioplinthus 21 

21 

21 


INDEX. 


301 


Page. 

Ophioplocus  .................................        16 

esmarki  ......................... 

imbricatus  ......................  30>31 

japonicus  .......................  30  ,  31 

Ophiopora  ...................................      ^39 

Ophiopteris  antipodum  ......................     J« 

papillosa  ........................  1° 

Ophiopyrgus  .........  -  ....................  -- 

Ophioschiza  ..............................  254' 

monacantha  ....................     25& 

Ophioscolex  .......................  114,252  253 

Ophiostyracium  .............................      *^ 

trachyacanthum  ............      ^*>o 

Ophiosyzygus  .....................  275,276,277279 

disacanthus  ..................  18,  2<b 

Ophiotholia  .................................     ^ 

Ophiothricidse  ..............................  6>  2&7 

Ophiothrix  .........   16,  18,  19,  21,  36,  121,  260,  265,  268 

ciliaris  ...........................     257 

eusteira  .........................     265 

hylodes  .......................  263,265 

koreana  ....  5,  12,  17,  18,  257  ,  260,  264,  265 

longipeda  ........................     263 

macrobrachia  .................  5,  18,267 

panchyendyta  ................  264,  265 

spiculata  ........................  10,262 

Ophiotoma  ..................................      252 

Opliiotrochus  ...............................  14'  15 

longispinus  ....................  14,94 

panniculus  ....................       95 

18'102 


Ophiozona 

alba 

bispinosa  .............  -  ............  33*  34 

elevata  .......................  5,81,33,34 

longispina 

platydisca  ......................... 

polyplax  ........................... 

projecta  ........................... 

Ophiura  ....................  3,15,18,19,21, 

atacta  .............................  14>  85 

bathybia  .....................  13,16,58,60 

brachyactis  .................  .....  8,  16,  87 

bullata  .............................       75 

calyptolepis  ..................  67,68,69,70 

ciliaris  257 

clasta 

convexa 

cryptolepis  .......................  9,69,  70 

flagellata  ...............  8,9,10,16,18,19,60 

glyptodisca  ........................  91,  92 

hadra  ............................  11,14,80 

imbecillis 

irrorata  ...............  8,9,10,14,15,62,63 

kinbergi  .............  37  ,  44,  45,  46,  47,  48,  55 

leptoctenia  ...  4,  9,  15,  18,  19,  51  ,  55,  58,  59,  60 
Ijungmani  ..........................  55, 

longipeda  ...........................      263 

liitkeni  ............  5,  11,  19,  44,45,  46,  47,  55 

maculata  .....................  8,18,49,156 

megapoma  ................. 

micracantha  .....................  18,  19,47 

monostcecha  ....................  65,  6" 

nodosa  ...................  4,12,70,131,196 

cediplax  ......................  12,16,74,75 

penichra  ..........................  8,12,84 

pomphophora  ...................  89,90,91 

ponderosa  ..................  9,77,80,81,85 


Pectinura 


Ophiura  quadrispina 8, 18, 19, 55,  58, 60 

sarsii 4,9,12,13,17,18,19, 

37 ,  44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 55, 131, 196 

sculp ta 5  > 73 

sculptilis 12, 13, 77 

sterea 7,75,  76,78,84,85,88 

stiphra 12,18,82,84,85 

stuwitzii .^:^L1.  £2, 78 

Ophiurases 

obstrictus 5, 18, 250 

orbiculata,  Ophioglypha 62, 63 

pachybactra,  Ophiolebes 242 ,  244 

pacificum,  Ophiocten 9,14,96 

palmifer,  Tricaster 287 

palmiferum ,  Euryale 287 

palmiferus,  Trichaster 287 

panchyendyta,  Ophiothrix 264 ,  265 

panniculus,  Ophiotrochus 95 

papillata,  Ophioconis 28,30 

papillosa,  Ophiocoma 257 

Ophiopteris 10,257 

papyracea,  Amphilepis 172 

pardalis,  Astrophyton 18,293,  294 

paucispina,  Ophiolebes 20,246,  247, 248 

anchista 23,25 

cylindrica '. 25 

marmorata 25 

stearnsii 

penichra,  Ophiura 8, 12,84 

pentacantha,  Amphilimna 10, 172 

pentagona,  Ophiacantha 5» 

16,17,18,20,196,  198,200,201,205 

pergamena,  Astroceras 5, 18,284 

pericalles,  Ophiodoris 5, 18, 177 

periercta,  Amphiodia 11,160,161 

plana,  Asteronyx 287 

platydisca,  Ophiozona &* 

platytata,  Amphilepis 13, 16, 171 

polyacantha,  Ophiomitra 18, 187 

polyplax,  Ophiozona 

polyploca,  Ophiocamax 5, 18, 193 

pomphophora,  Ophiura 89,  90, 91 

ponderosa,  Ophioglypha 77 

Ophiura 9,77.80,81,85 

porrecta,  Ophionereis 174» 177 

prionota,  Ophiacantha 13,213 

projecta,  Ophiozona... 

psilochora,  Amphiodia 

psilopora,  Amphiura 1»3< 154 

pteropoma,  Ophiactis 

pugetana,  Amphipholis 11,166 

Amphiura 166 

pustulata,  Hemieuryale 

pycnostoma,  Amphiura I51 

quadrispina,  Ophiura... 8,18,19,55,58,60 

relicta,  Ophiacantha 20, 219, 221 

rhachophora,  Ophiacantha 5,8,9,18,20,201 

rhadinobrachius,  Amphioplus 167 , 168 

riisei,  Ophiocoma 

robusta,  Ophioglypha 

rugosa,  Ophiocamax 

sagaminus,  Gorgonocephalus 20, 21,292 

sanctum,  Ophiomusium I09 


302 


INDEX. 


rage. 

sarsii,  Ophiura 4,9,12, 

13, 17, 18, 19, 37 ,  44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 55, 131, 196 

schayeri,  Ophionereis 174 

scorteus,  Ophiolebes 240 

sculpta,  Ophioglypha 73 

Ophiura 5, 73 

sculptilis,  Ophioglypha 77 

Ophiura 12,13,77 

Sigsbeia  murrhina 21 

simplex,  Ophiomusium 5,18,20,109,111 

sinensis,  Ophioglypha. 37 

solida,  Ophioglypha 91 

spiculata,  Ophiothrix 10,262 

stearnsii,  Pectinura 25 

sterea,  Ophioglypha 75 

Ophiura 7, 75 ,  76, 78, 84, 85, 88 

stimpsonii,  Astrophyton 287 

Gorgonocephalus 292 

stimulea,  Ophiacantha 229 

stiphra,  Ophiura 12, 18,82, 84,85 

strongyloplax,  Amphiodia 10, 164 

stuwitzii,  Ophiura 12, 73 

sundevalli,  Amphiura 12, 141 


Page. 

sundevalli,  Ophiolepis 141 

synaptacantha,  Ophiobyrsa 18,270,271 

tetracantha,  Ophiopenia 104, 105 

trachyacanthum,  Ophiostyracium 253 

trachybactra,  Ophiacantha 206 

trachydisca,  Amphiura 149 

Tricaster  palmifer 287 

Trichaster  palmiferus 287 

trychnum,  Ophiomusium 20,109,  111 

tuberculosa,  Jlemieuryale 21 

tumulosa,  Ophioglypha. 62,63 

tylota,  Ophiolebes 8, 20,243,  244, 246 

typica,  Ophiopholis  aculeata  var 116 

undata,  Ophioglypha 91 

urtica,  Amphiodia 11, 154 

Amphiura 154, 156 

variabilis,  Ophioglypha 77 

vestitus,  Ophiolebes 242 

vivipara,  Ophiacantha 213 

vorax,  Ophiacantha 206 


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